■■ %/ '>^:. Vo*^ ^;;^v. %/ ;v 



> 

■''-► 









' °- /^>m;S. /^'^m^>- /^^-^'''-X /-^ 
















:y^f/}i^ %/" /0^\ \^^'i' ^:fMK;, -^^Z ''^*5^\ ^<^^^-^ ;>.^f?/h:^ ''< 









%/ ;V^:' %-o*' ^;«?^^ %/ ff: 








-1 o 













''^. ^vis^:^ ji- -^ 



'> 



v^^ 






V'^;^ 



.^^>. 






.^ 






3 V. • : 




"^'^.^^^ .V^iCr^ 






V-^l* 









o 
o 



,-^^ . 













.0^ 



°- .^-^^ 



** 












Ao. 



.o 









^ - ■ \ 

<P^ * » . ' o,^ 










.^^"- 



5^"-. 












0-0, '^o 






^bv" 



,^ \ c 









<S> • o , o ' <^ 









** 

T 



N 









mm.\ ^^^.^" .v^jm-o ■^u^^^.-i- „rfiffl^v -^-^^.v : 






°o 










■^" . 




"^^^ .v^ ^A 

t(. .O'^ 0°"°. '^o 






.*' ^ 







Village President Irving W. Wiswall Delivering Address of Welcome at The Centennial 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY 



OF THE 



VILLAGE OF BALLSTON SPA 

INCLUDING THE TOWNS OF 

BALLSTON and MILTON 

— X 

By Edward F. Grose 

INCLUDING AN UNPUBLISHED HISTORY BY THE LATE 

John C. Booth 



A SOUVENIR OF THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

HELD 

JUNE 22-25, 1907 



" MeTHINKS I HEAR THE SOUND OF TIME LONG PAST 

Still murmuring o'er me, and whispering in 
The following pages — like the lingering voices 
Of those who long within their graves have slept.' 



Published bv 

THE BALLSTON JOURNAL 

C. H. GROSE, Proprietor 

1907 






Copyright 1908 
By EDWARD F. GROSE 



LIBRARY of C0N3KESs] 


1 wo Oopiei 


rtet«'»jL^ 


MAY 2 


1908 


JUpyriiihi 


cnif* 




UC. N.J 


u-^^^ 


^B.'' 



LET us gather up our notices of past 
ages, and preserve them in the 
archives of the country ; we shall 
please and instruct ourselves by so doing, 
and make posterity lastingly indebted to us 
for the deed. To transmit the honors of 
one age to another is a duty ; to neglect the 
merits of our fathers is a disgrace. 

— Phillips, in his Million of Facts. 



Printed by E. H. LISK 
Troy, N. Y. 



Author's Preface 



General Ulysses S. Grant once said "that each and every community should 
record in some manner its progress and its work as a landmark for the future." 
The force of this saying appeals strongly to one who endeavors to write the his- 
tory of the long ago ; to grope among dust covered and meagre records ; to 
search out the truth of history through legend and tradition, and from the 
mists that gather 'round the early days bring forth to the light of the present 
day the men and their deeds which have made the history of a hundred years 
and more of village life. 

At the solicitation of a number of our citizens, and little realizing the ex- 
tent of the task imposed, the author began the compilation of a history of Balls- 
ton from its first settlement in 1763. Now that the work is completed, aware 
of its many imperfections, and craving the kind indulgence of the reader for 
whatever errors or omissions may be found in its pages, the history is given to 
the public with the hope that it will prove of more than passing interest. 

Through the kindness of Miss Ella M. Booth, daughter of the late John 
Chester Booth, that part of his unpublished history of Saratoga County, relat- 
ing to Ballston Spa and this immediate locality, is for the first time made public. 
The late Judge Scott, of this village, and the late Judge William Hay of 
Saratoga Springs, both historians of eminent ability, after reading the manu- 
script copy of Mr. Booth's history, commended it most highly. Its literary 
merit is beyond criticism. Mr. Booth's history was completed in 1858, and this 
should be borne in mind by the re-ader. 

Acknowledgment is also due to Miss Winifred Taylor, of Freeport, Illi- 
nois, Mrs. Martha Seelye of New York, Mrs. Margaret Powell, Mrs. John B. 
Ford, Mr. Stephen B. Medbery and Mr. James F. Peckham of BaUston Spa, 
and Mrs. Mary Osborn and Mr. Willard Lester, of Saratoga Springs for valuable 
information furnished the author; to Mr. N. B. Sylvester, and Col. Wm. L. 
Stone for many interesting facts gathered from their historical writings, and 
to Mr. Enos R. Mann's "Bench and Bar of Saratoga County." Also to Mr. J. S. 
Wooley, Feeney Brothers and Mr. N. L. Allcott for a number of illustrations. 

But more than to any other source, aside from the history of Mr. Booth, is 
the author indebted to files of the village papers in his possession, commencing 
as early as the year 1806, and continuing down to 1847 with many issues, altho' 
not complete, and from 1847 to the present time the complete weekly files of 
the Ballston Journal ; and to books and documents relating to the early days 
from the library of the late Rev. H. L. Grose. 

To all Ballstonians, from oldest to youngest, scattered throughout our great 

country, or inhabitants of our beautiful village, this story of "the homeland" is 

respectfully dedicated. 

Edward F. Grose. 

Ballston Spa, October, 1907. 



CONTENTS 



BALLSTON, TOWN OF 
Ball, Eliphalet . 
Bettys, Joe, (The Spy) 
Burning of Ballston . 
Christ's Church 
Early Settlers 
First Meeting House 
Freehold Settlement . 
Gordon, James 
Gordon's Memorandum 
Gonzalez Tragedy 
McDonalds, The 
Presbyterian Church 
Revolution, War of the 
Revolution, Tories of the 
Revolution, After the War 
Tory Raid of 1780 
Tory Raid of 1781 . 
Tory Banta, The . 
Villages and Hamlets 
Waller, Mrs., Story of . 

BALLSTON IN WAR 

War of the Revolution . 

War of 181-2 

War with Mexico . 

War of tlie Rebellion . 

War with Spain 

Reminiscences 



BALLSTON SPA, VILLAGE OF 
America's First Watering Place 
County Seat .... 
Churches .... 
First Settler .... 
Hotels .... 

Johnson, Sir William 
Marcy, Governor Wm. L. . 
Sans Souci, The 
Schools .... 
Societies ..... 
Spring, The First 
Springs, The .... 
Stuart, James, Visit of 
Washington, Visit of 
Watson, Elkanah. Visit of . 



11 

14 

27 

27 

21 

15 

17 

15 

17 

39 

41 

11 

20 

18 

18 

19 

29 

35 

43 

21 

40 



142 

. 142 

143 

. 143 
.153 

. 154 

51 
. 63 

58 

. 75 
51 

55, 67 
65 

. 68 
57 

. 92 
96 
53 
59 
71 
60 
68 



51 



CELEBRATIONS .... 
Armory, Laying Corner Stone . 
Centennial Fourth, 1876 
Fourth of July, 1840 . 
Masonic • . . . . 
Sabbath Schools, 1847 . 
Semi-Centennial, 1826 . 
Soldiers' Monument, Mexican War 
Soldiers' Monument, Civil War . 
Temperance, 1849 



CENTENNIAL, THE . 
Address of I. W. Wiswall . 
Address of Judge L'Amoreaux 
Address of Wm. L. Stone 
Centennial Association . 
Centennial Day . 
Centennial Ode 
Centennial Sunday 
Editorial Comments . 
Fireworks 
P'raternal Day 
Newspaper Reports . 
Opening Day, Athletic Meet 
Oration of Gen. King 
Parade .... 
Re-Union, Mohican Hill . 



CORPORATION, THE . 
Banks .... 

Business Development 
Fire Department 
Industries of To-Day . 
Manufactures . 
Mercantile Interests . 
Post-Office 
Railroads . 

Telegraph and Telephones 
Trustees and Presidents 
Water Works . 



BALLSTON SPA IN THE PAST 



COUNTY SEAT, THE 
Civil List 

HISTORIC NOTES 

MILTON, TOWN OF . 
Churches . 
Villages and Hamlets 



131 PRESS OF BALLSTON SPA 



179 
182 
182 
180 
182 
181 
179 
181 
158 
181 

185 

204 

206 

223 

186 

199 

215 

190 

228 

226 

195 

227 

188 

210 

200 

190 

103 
114 
113 
107 
118 
115 
120 
111 
111 
113 
123 
110 

127 
128 

167 

45 
49 
47 

131 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



An Old Drawing .... 72 
Advertisements, Old . 113, 169 
A Bower of Elms .... 200 
Ball, Eliphalet, Grave of . . 17 
Ballston Lake .... 10, -36 
Ballston Spa . ... 52, .54 
Ballston Spa House ... 70 
Bank Buildings . . . . lU 
Blood, Isaiah, Residence of . 48 
Blood's Battle Axe ... 144 
Briggs Burying Ground . . 26 



Churches 
Century Elms 



76, 78, 80, 87, 90 
129, 139 



Centennial Ode, Reading 
County Alms House . . 
County Clerk's Office, 1824 
County Clerk's Office . . 
Court House Hill . . 
Court House Hill Hotel . 

Court Houses 126 

Davis, Rev. Edw., Residence of 43 
Deer Antlers 13 



216 
101 
128 
130 
18 



Doubleday House . 
Douglas-Aldridge House 
Eagle Hotel .... 
Engine Houses 
Frontispiece, Centennial 
Fair Grounds 
Front Street 
Gilmour's Academy 
High Street . . . . 
Hotels in 1907 . . . 
In the Woods 
Iron Spring 
Journal Office . 
Journal, Fac-Simile of 
Kavaderosseras, The 
Low House, 1804 . . 
Mann Homestead . 
McDonalds' Cabin, 1703 
Medbery Hotel . . 
Middle Line Road 
Milton .\venue . . 
Milton House 



13.5 

56 

74 

108, 109 

2 

101 

104 

93 

130, 205 

197 

60 

65, 213 

132 

134 

34,46 

70 

20 

12 

73 

45 

100, 189 

. 73 



30 



Milton Square . 
Monument Square 
Mourning Kill 
Odd Fellows' Hall 
Pcckham House 
Presbyterian Church, 



. . 201 
. . 193 
16, 23, 176 
. . 98 
. . 51 
Balls- 



ton Centre '21 

Prime Meniorial Window . 86 

Rail Road Station .... 112 

Red Mill Pond .... 116 
SansSouci . 58,68,71,168,184 

Sans Souci Circular, 1823 . 69 

School Buildings .... 95 

Scythe Shop 117 

Soldiers' Monument . . . 158 

Spa Sanatorium .... 123 

Tannery Buildings ... 119 

Taylor, John W., Residence of 240 

Trout Brook in Milton . . 49 

Union Bag & Paper Co. Mills 119 
Village Reservoir . . . .110 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



Baldwin, Seth C. 
Beach, Jonathan S. 
Beechcr. George C. 
Blood, Isaiah 
Blood, Albert P. . 
Booth, John C. . . 
Booth, Wheeler K. 
Bristol, L. W. . . 
Brotherson, John . 
Chapman, George W. 

Chapman, Edwin H. 

Clapp, Russell P. 

Cook, James M. 

Comstock, James . 

Crane, L. M. 

Davis, Dr. Samuel . 

Gilmour, Neil . . 

Gordon, James . 

Grose, H. L. . . 

Haight, Samuel 

Harris, Arnold 

Horton, James W. 

Jones, Hiro . . . 

Jones, Frank . . 

Knox, George E. . 



26 Langworthy, Elisha P. 

253 Leach, James O. 

257 Lee, Elias ... 

245 Lee, Joel . ■ 

253 Lee, Edward W. . 

8 Lee, John J. . . • 

2.53 Lee, George W. 

255 Luther, John J. . . 

253 Mann, Henry A. . 

256 :Mann, E. R. . ■ 
256 Maxwell, David 

254 McCreas, The . . 
244 McLean.John . . 
252 McLean, John B. . 

255 McKown, John 

24 McMaster, Robert P. 

256 Medbery, Stephen B. 
23 INIoore. Leverett 

251 Odell, William T. . 
255 Palmer, Beriah 

252 Peckham, James F. 
247 Person, John 

254 Scott. George G. . 

257 Smith, Samuel . . 
257 Smith, .Andrew W. 



80 
253 

79 
231 
231 
231 
232 
254 
255 
2.50 



26 
253 
254 
257 
2-53 
258 
250 
2.54 

24 
258 
257 
246 
234 
233 



Smith, Samuel . 
Smith, Robert P. 
Spier, James H. 
Taylor, John W. 
Thompson, James 
Thompson, John W, 
Thompson, George ' 
Thompson, George 
Vassar, Matthew 
Vaughn, O. D. . 
Wait, John . . 
AVestcot, Reuben 
Wcstcot, John H. 
WeStcot, Joseph E. 
West, George . 
Whalen, Seth . 
Watrous, Edward A 
White, Epenetus 
White, Stephen 
Williams, Moses 
Williams, M. Lemet 
Williams, Piatt 
Wiley, Calvin F. 
Wilson, John R. 
Young, .Samuel 



234 

234 

257 

238 

234 

234 

234 

237 

256 

254 

254 

232 

232 

233 

249 

256 

26 

25 

26 

237 

237 

238 

255 

255 

24 



Booth, John C 8 

'Blood, Isaiah 246 

Cook, James M 244 

Grose, H.L 252 

Grose, H.B 215 

Horton, Tames W. ... 248 

Horton, Stephen S. ... 149 

Lee, Joel 230 

Lee, Edward W 230 

Lee, John J 230 



PORTRAITS 



L'Amoreaux, J. S. . . 
McDonough, Father . 
Moore, Leverett 
McKittrick, William H. 
Scott, George G. . ■ 
Smith, Samuel . . ■ 
Smith, Andrew W. 
Smith, Samuel . . ■ 
Smith, Robert P. . • 
Taylor, John W. . • 



200 Thompson, James . 

90 Thompson, John W. 

251 Thompson, George L. 

150 West, George . . 

247 Westcot, Reuben . 

235 Westcot, John H. . 

235 Westcot, Joseph E. 

235 Williams, Moses , 

235 Williams, M. Lemet 

238 Wiswall, Irving W. 



236 
236 
236 
249 
232 
233 
233 
237 
237 
204 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



John Chester Booth 




John Chester Booth, son of Lebbeus and 
Lncretia Booth, was born in Ballston Spa on 
Washington's birthday, February 22, 1832. 
When about twenty years of age lie estabHshed 
a private school in Craneville about two miles 
north of the village. Among his pupils were 
Samuel S. Wakeman, William Spencer and 
David Frisbie, who are now residents of Balls- 
ton Spa. These gentlemen recall with pleas- 
ure their accomplished teacher and the profit- 
able days passed under his tuition. A little 
later, having chosen the legal profession as 
his vocation, he entered ujxjn the study of the 
law in the office of Judge George G. Scott, 
and having served the required clerkship, was 
admitted to the Bar in 1853, and entered upon 
the practice of his profession, his office adjoin- 



ing that of Judge Scott, being in one of the 
rooms now occupied by Messrs. Scott & 
Brown as law offices; on Bath street. 

Air. Booth was a man of fine intellect and 
rare literary attainments, which gave promise 
of a most successful career in his chosen pro- 
fession. 

A Republican in politics, he entered enthu- 
siastically into the presidential campaign of 
1856. Taking the stump for Fremont and 
Dayton, he very soon became known as a bril- 
liant orator, and a speaker of unusual persua- 
siveness and power. The writer, at that time 
a boy of nine years, himself an enthusiastic 
young Republican, and a member of a boys' 
campaign club in Galway village, still recalls 
with something of the thrill he then experi- 
enced, the speech of Mr. Booth at a "Grand 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Republican Rally" in Galvvay. The posters 
announcing this meeting were printed by the 
writer and his elder brother, the late H. Sew- 
ard Grose, in their small printing office in 
that village, where they published a small 
monthly paper, the "Home Register." 

First impressions are those that endure, and 
memory still pictures the scene on the village 
green ; the great crowd pressing closely about 
the platform ; the young speaker with impas- 
sioned eloquence swaying the assemblage at 
his will, and the resounding cheers that greet- 
ed him as he earnestly advocated the princi- 
ples of the new party which was destined to 
be the saviour of the nation, under the match- 
less leadership of the immortal Lincoln. 

From this time Mr. Booth was in great de- 
mand as an orator on all public occasions. On 
the "glorious Fourth" in 1855, reading the 
Declaration of Independence in superb style, 
and later in the day addressing his comrades 
of the "Ancient and Horrible Order of Fil- 
busters" in a speech of keenest wit and pun- 
gent satire, delivered with grandiloquent and 
bombastic eloquence; at the laying of the cor-" 
ner-stone of the State Armory in August, 
1858, delivering an oration on "America's 
citizen soldiers," choice in rhetoric, and elo- 
quent in glowing periods ; lecturing in Waver- 
ly Hall in January, i860, on "The life and 
exploits of Joe Bettys," the noted tory spy of 
Ballston, to a delighted audience ; or pleading 
before a jury in the old court house with the 
eloquence of a Beach or a Porter; on all oc- 
casions he displayed rare gifts of heart and 
mind, and the still rarer gifts of eloquent 
speech. 

From early youth Mr. Booth had given evi- 
dence of fine literary taste, several poems of 
more than ordinary merit appearing under his 
name at the early age of sixteen years, in the 
Ballston Journal. Amid the activities of a 
busy life, he found his recreation in literary 
pursuits, and having great pride in his native 



county, he compiled a history of Saratoga 
county, which was completed about two years 
prior to his death. This history has never 
been published, but through the kindness of 
his daughter, Miss Ella M. Booth, that por- 
tion of the history relating to Ballston Spa, is 
included in this Centennial History. 

Mr. Booth spent most of his life in this, his 
native village, keenly alive to its prosperity and 
growth. Extreme illness in his boyhood weak- 
ened his constitution, and he died in Ballston 
Spa on July 25th, i860, at the early age of 
twenty-eight, leaving unfinished much that 
would have given him literary renown. 

Lebbeus Booth, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, was the founder of the Ballston 
Spa Female Seminary, in its day one of the 
most celebrated institutions of learning in the 
State. He was a man of marked ability, and 
after the closing of his school became largely 
interested in manufacturing and other busi- 
ness pursuits in the village. He was a member 
and vestryman of Christ Church; loan com- 
missioner of the county in 1840; county super- 
intendent of the poor in 1844-5-6; director and 
vice-president of the Ballston Spa Bank from 
its organization in 1838 until his death ; presi- 
dent of the Saratoga County Bible Society in 
1850; and a village trustee in 1839. He died 
in 1859 aged 70 years. 

His sons inherited the intellectual character- 
istics of their father in an unusual degree. 
Moss Kent Booth, elder brother of John 
Chester, graduated at Union College at the 
age of nineteen, with the tirst honors of his 
class : was admitted to the Bar at twenty-two, 
and began the practice of the law in Boston. 
]n 1852 he was a member of the Massachusetts 
legislature. He died October 18, 1853. 

Of the family of Lebbeus Booth three 
daughters still survive: i\Irs. Martha Seelye 
of New York City, Mrs. Lucretia Dean of 
.\nnandale, N. Y., and Mrs. Susan E. Robin- 
son of Riverdale-on-Hudson, N. Y. 




oi 


•a 


a> 


a 


OJ 




a 




-' 


Q 


""^ 


t: 


"^ 














c 






a 


^ 




CJ 


^ 




■y. 


rt 






X 




o 




< 




ti 


'A 


B 


u 
O 


< 




t. 








X 


O 




'^ 


U 


ui 






to 




x: 


o 


T. 


;; 




, 


C 


"« 



z 

o 



• c 
>. o 
c ■- 

is 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



11 



Town of Ballston 



By John C. Booth 



THE "District of Ballstown" first em- 
braced the present towns of Balls- 
ton, Milton, Charlton, Galway, 
Providence, Edinburgh, and part 
of Greenfield. It was christened after the 
Rev. Eliphalet Ball,^ who, with a colony of 
his old parishioners from Bedford, in West- 
chester County, settled near the outlet of 
Long Lake in the year 1770. It was first called 
Ball-Town, then Balls-Town, and finally 
Ballston. 

THE INDIAN PARADISE. 

The territory of Saratoga County was 
claimed as a hunting ground by the Mohawks, 
and through them by the confederated tribes 
of the Six Nations. Its occupancy, however, 
particularly that portion watered by the 
Kayaderosseras, in the valley of which are 
located the celebrated medicinal springs, seems 
to have been common to the whole Indian pop- 
ulation of New York and Canada. The effi- 
cacy of these mineral waters was widely 
spread among the aboriginal inhabitants of 
the continent, and the traditions of their 
medicine men show that they had been re- 
sorted to for the cure of disease by the un- 
tutored natives, long before the discovery of 
the continent by the whites. Recognizing 
them as the especial gift of the Great Spirit, 
the Indians, with a spirit of piety and charity 
worthy of imitation by more civilized nations, 
seem by common consent to have respected 
the country around the springs as neutral 
ground. To this sanctuary of health all the 
tribes had unmolested access, and the horrors 
of savage warfare seldom, if ever, disturbed 
its repose ; until, incited by the rival rapacities 
of the French and English, their pious rev- 

'The name "Ball-Town" is said to have been given 
to the District at an old-fashioned "raising" of a 
log cabin; that Parson Ball offered the McDonald's 
a gallon of rum to surrender their right as pioneers 
to name the place ; that the offer was accepted, hence 
the name "Ballston." 



erence for the faith of their ancestors be- 
came corrupted, and the sacred precincts of 
these life-giving fountains were profaned by 
the barbarities of war. Although by im- 
memorial custom exempt from hostilities, 
this region, from the quantities of game with 
which it was stocked, and its unequalled fish- 
eries, was a favorite resort of the tribes of 
the Six Nations, who claimed sovereignty 
over it, and also by the Adirondacks, their 
hereditary enemies of the north, who disputed 
their title. The hunting grounds of the 
Kayaderosseras were always spoken of as 
an Indian Paradise. 

THE Mcdonald's. 

The first settlement within the present 
limits of the town of Ballston was made on 
the western shore of Long Lake" by two 
brothers, Michael and Nicholas McDonald, 
natives of Ireland. They were forced emi- 
grants to this country. Enticed on board of 
a vessel lying in the Liffey, they were brought 
to Philadelphia, and as was the custom in 
the olden time, sold for a term of years to 
defray the expense of a voyage which they 
were compelled to make against their will. 

After this it would seem that they became 
connected with the settlement at Johnstown, 
for the traditions of the family indicate that 
they came from thence into this county. 
The circumstances under which they changed 
their residence from the immediate neigh- 
borhood and protection of Sir William John- 
son are quite satisfactorily explained further 
on in this narrative. 

As early as the year 1763 the McDonald's 
came down the Mohawk to the mouth of 
Ael-Plaas creek, when, following the ancient 
Indian route up that stream to the point near- 
est the Lake, where an Indian portage trail 
had long existed, they transported their 

''Long Lake or Ballston Lake. 



12 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



canoes and chattels to the silent shores of its 
then silent and forest-rimmed waters. They 
"squatted," to use the expressive nomencla- 
ture of modern emigration, on the "Lake 
Farm," now (1859) owned In- Edward C. 
Delevan, and among the old residents of the 
township, the site of this first "clearing" is 
still known as "the McDonald place." The 
rude cabin they built stood for many years, 
even to within the recollection of most of the 



1754, known as the second French war, this 
route again assumed an importance and value 
as a means of communication with the un- 
protected settlements at Saratoga (Schuyler- 
ville) and along the Upper Hudson. By its 
means Sir William Johnson, by a shorter and 
more expeditious route than that by way of 
Albany, led his faithful Alohawks, and other 
Indian auxiliaries from the west, in the famous 
expedition against Crown Point in 1755. 




The McDonalds' Cabin. 



present residents of the neighborhood, a 
quaint and eloquent memorial of the trials 
and deprivations incident to our pioneer 
history. 

The location they selected lay directly on 
the line of communication between the Six 
Nations and the Adirondack and Lower Ca- 
nadian Indians. Although unknown to the 
early settlers, it was an ancient Indian trail 
along which Mohawk and Adirondack war 
parties had marched to bloody battle, or re- 
treated bearing bloody trophies and mourn- 
ing captives. 

.After the commencement of hostilities in 



The country along the route thus becom- 
ing known, and the necessity of keeping open 
by settlement such a valuable line of commu- 
nication with the north, induced the McDon- 
alds, under the advice of Sir William Johnson 
to establish themselves at this point. 

From the time of their settlement until 
1770, they seem to have been left "monarchs 
of all they surveyed." Their nearest neigh- 
bors were the Dutch burghers of Schenec- 
tady, and a few hardy pioneers, scattered at 
long intervals along the rich bottom lands of 
the Mohawk. Around and to the north of 
them stretched an unbroken wilderness, into 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



13 



which these poor but brave Irish boys had 
boldly plunged ; sturdily confronting the in- 
numerable dangers and trials of that savage 
frontier life, and heroically leading the van 
in felling the forest and subduing the land 
to the uses and support of civilized life. But 
if the life in tlieir new home was one of 
continued danger and deprivation, nature 
presented nnich that was calculated to ofifset 
its trials and recompense its losses. Lake 
and stream were stocked with the choicest 
varieties of fish, and the woods were alive 
with game. The beaver was trapped along 
the stream which traffic has since subdued to 
its service ; and the muskrat burrowed in the 
marshes where now fertile farms reward the 
thrifty husbandman with bounteous harvests. 
As they trapped the beaver, or chased the 
deer, or pulled the mottled pickerel and gold- 
en perch from the limpid lake, no doubt hon- 
est Nick and Mike were devoutly conscious 
that their lines had fallen literally "in very 
pleasant places." 

And when the autumn glories had fallen 
upon the forest, the Mohawks and the Onei- 
das would take to the old trail up the Ael- 
Plaas and over into the lake, on their way 
to the hunting grounds around the springs 
in the valley of the Kayaderosseras. What 
with "strong water," gay cottons and glit- 
tering baubles, it is said that considerable 
wealth, for those days, in the form of rich 
peltries, fell to the lot of the McDonalds, 
when their red brethren returned at the close 
of the Indian Summer from their annual 
hunting in these parts. 

In 1764-5, under the directions of the 
owners of the land, they opened a rude cart- 
road from their ""clearing" to Schenectady. 
This road ran through a part of the country 
which the Indians had been accustomed to 
bum over periodically for the purpose of 
forming a deer pasture. The McDonalds 
were wont to refer to it as "the burnt hills." 
and the locality has retained the title down 
to this time. In the midst of this same region 
a beautiful rural village now stands, sur- 
rounded by highly cultivated farms, and in 
no part of the country do thrift and plenty 
and the beauty of well-tilled lands exhibit 
themselves in happier effect than in and 
around the village of Burnt Hills. 

In 1768 the proceedings for the partition 



of the Kayaderosseras Patent broke the mo- 
notony of the wilderness life of the McDon- 
alds, and the survey and distribution of that 
large grant opened the country for settle- 
ment. The "McDonald clearing" on Long 
Lake was for a long time the headquarters 
of the field parties engaged in laying out the 
patent.^ 

During this survey the house of the Mc- 
Donalds was the home of the Commission, 
and among the items in the account rendered 
by the Commissioners is one for board at the 
settlement on Long Lake. A trifle of some 









i 




I 



Antlers of Deer shot by Michael McDonald, the first settler 

of Ballston, now in possession of Mr. Herbert V. 

Calkins, Ballston. 

twenty odd pounds is also inserted as due 
Michael McDonald for liquors furnished the 
Commission during its arduous duties in 
the field, and entered in a bold free hand 
which shows that it was honest liquor drank 
with an honest purpose. A modern commit- 
tee would probably have ordered the item 
concealed under the less suspicious cogno- 
men of "sundries." or have smuggled it 
through the gauntlet of public opinion as 
"stationery." Not so did our fathers. There 
was high debate between the Crown and the 
grantees in regard to the extent of the Pat- 

^Michael McDonald lived tn the hale old age of 
94, remaining on the farm until his death on January 
29, 1823. His grave is beside that of his brother 
Nicholas on the farm, and on his tombstone is this 
record : "He was the first settler of Ballston." 



14 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



ent. Intricate lines were to be disentangled, 
and nice points of description to be settled. 
The Commissioners were wise men in their 
generation, and in accordance with the meas- 
ure of their wisdom invoked the spirit of the 
Puritans in many a bowl of punch brewed 
from the best of New England rum. Thus 
were the "crooked paths made straight" 
through the Kayaderosseras wilderness, and 
like honest men they called things by their 
right names, and duly ordered their clerk, 
Cornelius Cuyler, to credit Mike with the 
liquor on their books. 

ELIPH.^LET BALL. 

As soon as the Commissioners had com- 
pleted their partition, the Rev. Eliphalet Ball, 
a Congregational clergyman of Bedford, in 
Westchester county, secured from the pro- 
prietors a gift of five hundred acres of land 
as an inducement to settle a colony of his 
parishioners witliin the grant. The congre- 
gation of Mr. Ball was composed of inhabi- 
tants of Bedford and the adjoining town of 
Stamford, in Connecticut. Charles Webb, a 
surveyor engaged in partitioning the patent, 
and who selected the lands around Long 
Lake as the most valuable, was a resident of 
Stamford, and a member of Mr. Ball's 
church. Guided by Mr. Webb's advice, Mr. 
Ball located his land near the outlet of the 
lake.'' It was afterwards owned by the Hon. 
Samuel Young. 

Mr. Ball came here in 1770, and at the 
tim.e was accompanied by only one family 
of his congregation, Epenetus White, Sen., 
of Stamford, who located on the east shore 
of the lake, on what is now known as the 
"Collamer Place." These were soon followed 
by others, and in 1772 the settlement con- 
tained twenty families. 

Eliphalet Ball was a man well fitted to lay 
the foundation of a new community. He pos- 
sessed in an eminent degree the virtues requi- 
site for the undertaking. Related to the 
mother of General Washington, his father 
and that illustrious woman being first 
cousins, he is said to have exhibited the same 
sterling virtues that rendered her the exem- 
plar of her sex. As a man he was enterpris- 

'Mr. Ball Imilt liis log-cabin home a little south 
of the house long known as the home of Col. Samuel 
Young. Christopher Appel now resides there. 



ing and energetic, cool and courageous; a 
scholar of extensive acquirements, and a 
Christian of exalted piety. From one who 
remembers him, and who moved into his 
neighborhood a few years after his settle- 
ment, we learn that "he was a careful ob- 
server, a keen discerner of men and things, 
and a wise counsellor; in short, a father and 
friend to all his people." He brought with 
him his three sons, Stephen, John and Fla- 
men, and a daughter Mary, afterward the 
wife of Gen. James Gordon. 

Of his sons, John Ball, known as Col. Ball, 
occupied for a long time a prominent posi- 
tion in the county. He held a commission in 
Col. Wynkoop's regiment during the Revolu- 
tion, and while Lieutenant was engaged in 
the expedition sent to the relief of Fort Stan- 
wix. He was the first supervisor elected in 
the town of Milton, and represented the 
county in the Assembly of 1793. Those who 
remember him speak of him as one of the 
most finished gentlemen of the country. A 
scholar without pedantry; polite and affable, 
he was every way calculated to secure the 
love and esteem of all who approached him. 
His peculiar and eminent talent for conver- 
sation is still spoken of by the few aged sur- 
vivors of his generation, and the impressions 
left behind him by the exercise of this fac- 
ulty, in connection with his amiable charac- 
ter, still keep his memory green in the hearts 
of the venerable men who yet linger on the 
scene he once adorned. He died in Schuy- 
lerville in 1838. 

Stephen Ball was a soldier of the Revolu- 
tion, serving in Col. Wynkoop's regiment. 
He was one of the five coroners of the county 
in 1796 and 1797. Mr. Sylvester in his his- 
tory of Saratoga county, relates the follow- 
ing incident: "It is said of Stephen Ball, 
that he once assisted his father at a marriage 
service in a peculiar way. Having inquired 
of the bridegroom whether he had ever seen 
anyone married, and finding that he had not, 
Stephen told him just what to do, and said 
he, 'Father will expect you to kiss the bride 
several times during the ceremony, but he 
won't like to tell you; I will sit near you and 
touch your heel at the right time.' The ser- 
vice just commenced, Stephen touched the 
heel and a heartj' smack followed. The min- 
ister frowned, but said nothing; but when 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



15 



the same thing occurred two or three times, 
Mr. Ball threatened to leave them half-mar- 
ried if that nonsense didn't stop. The poor 
bridegroom replied, 'Stephen told me to.' " 
Flamen Ball graduated with distinction at 
Yale College in 1787, adopted the profession 
of the law, and became one of the prominent 
lawyers in New York city. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Beriah Palmer, who had assisted in the 
survey of the Patent, settled on the farm now 
owned by the Rev. Edward Davis, in 1771 ; 
Edward A. Watrous, afterward a representa- 
tive in the Assembly from 1800 to 1802; Wil- 
liam and Reuben Armstrong, uncles of the 
Rev. Lebbeus Armstrong ; Capt. Tyrannis 
Collins, Hezekiah Middlebrook, Eliphalet 
Kellogg, Joseph Morehouse, Stephen and 
Enoch Wood, Nathan Raymond, Thomas 
and Peter Smith, Isaac How, Thomas Bar- 
num, Elisha Benedict, John Higby, Zaccheus 
Scribner, Edmund Jennings,^ Samuel Nash, 
Capt. Stephen White, Uri and Ephraim 
Tracy, Sunderland Sears, Joseph Bettys, and 
his son "Joe Bettys," the notorious tory ma- 
rauder and spy, and Dr. Elisha Miller, a 
practicing physician, mostly from Connecti- 
cut, and the neighborhood of Mr. Ball's 
former residence, followed his fortunes into 
the wilderness and settled around him. These 
emigrants located along the road known as 
the "middle line," and some on the east side 
of the Lake. 

Shortly after Mr. Ball came three brothers, 
Samuel, James and William McCrea, sons of 
a Presbyterian clergyman, of Lamington, in 
the colony of New Jersey, and brothers of 
the beautiful but hapless Jeannie McCrea. 
Samuel located on the "Ten Eyck farm," op- 
posite Anson Buel's residence ; James on the 
Baldwin place, where Daniel Hartnett now 
resides, ' and William on the farm now owned 
by Henry Davis.* With these came Capt. 
Kenneth Gordon, also of New Jersey. About 
this time there was also a large emigration of 
"well-to-do" families from the north of Ire- 

°Father ot Joseph Jennings, who was sheriff in 
183s, and for many years proprietor of the Milton 
House in Ballston Spa. 

"His house was on the west side of the road, at 
the foot of the hill, just north of his brother James. 

'Thf fanr of the late Henry Harrison. 

"The site now occupied by the Davis sisters, over- 
looking Ballston Lake. 



land and Scotland, who turned their steps 
thitherward, probably under the advice of 
their countryman. General James Gordon, 
who had located near Mr. Ball. He resided 
on the farm now owned by Solyman Coon, 
and still known as the "Gordon place. "° 

Among the Scotch immigrants were Rob- 
ert Speir and his two sons Archibald and 
James, and the Shearer, McDearmid and 
Frazer families. Some of these Scotchmen 
settled in what is still known as the "Scotch 
Bush," the neighborhood lying west of Burnt 
Hills ; others along the road from West Mil- 
ton to Schenectady, which still retains the 
name of "Paisley Street," which they gave it 
in honor of their native town. George Scott, 
a brother-in-law of Gen. Gordon, and grand- 
father of the Hon. George G. Scott, of Ball- 
ston Spa, together with Francis Hunter, John 
Mclllmoil afid three brothers Kennedy, from 
the north of Ireland, located along or in the 
vicinity of the "middle line," near its inter- 
section with the present south Hne of Milton. 
Andrew Mitchell," a Scotchman, settled at 
this time on a part of the farm now com- 
posing the beautiful homestead of Edward C. 
Delevan; and his next neighbor north was 
Hezekiah Middlebrook, who had built on the 
site of Feeney's farm house. Mitchell was 
a Major in the militia during the Revolu- 
tion, a prominent and active Whig, and on 
the organization of the county was chosen 
one of the four first Assemblymen. Captain 
Titus Watson, who served in the War of 
the Revolution, settled on the east side of 
the Lake about 1773. One of his daughters 
married Ezekiel Horton, and was the mother 
of James W. Horton. 

THE FREEHOLD SETTLEMENT. 

The present town of Charlton was origi- 
nally a part of Balls-Town. The first settler 
was Joseph Gonzalez, who made his "clear- 
ing" in the west part of the town in 1773, on 
the farm since known as the "Consalus 

'Now owned by Mr. Fred West. 

'"Mitchell was ^la.ior of Col. Van Schoonhoven's 
regiment during the Revolution. James Gordon was 
Lieut.-Colonel of this regiment, and the Ball-Town 
settlement was represented in the ranks by Flamen 
Ball, John Ball, Stephen Ball, Uriah Benedict, John 
Kennedy, Thomas Kennedy, Michael McDonald, 
Samuel McCrea, Stephen Merrick. Joseph More- 
house, Beriah Palmer, Jabez Patchin, Thaddeus 
Scribner, Sunderland Sears, John Taylor, Edward 
A. Watrous and Epenetus White. 



16 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



place." This section of the country was then 
known as "Woestyne," signifying "the wild- 
erness." In 1775 William and Alexander 
Gilchrist, Scotch emigrants, with a number 
of their countrymen, either direct from Scot- 
land or latterly from the Jerseys, settled 
along the road on which the United Presby- 
terian church now stands, a little eastward 
from Gonzalez. 

In the month of May, 1774, Thomas 
Sweetman, who the year previous had pur- 



spring brought on their families, and other 
of their old neighbors. Among them were 
David Maxwell, John McKnight, Joseph La 
Rue, Thomas and Joseph Brown, John Tay- 
lor, for a long time one of the Judges of the 
County Court, and father of Hon. John W. 
Taylor of Ballston Spa, Gideon Hawley and 
James Low, father of Thomas Low, a sher- 
iff of the county. Jesse Conde, of Schenec- 
tady also settled here at this time, and Eli 
Northrup, John Holmes and Obediah Wood. 




THE "MOURNING KILL," EAST ON MALTA AVENUE 



chased land in the "five thousand acre tract," 
arrived with his family at Schenectady, from 
Freehold, in the colony of New Jersey. He 
"blazed" out the road from Schenectady to 
the present town of Charlton, and located 
his household gods on the land which 
he had purchased, which was situated in the 
east part of the town, and has ever since been 
known as the "Sweetman place." During the 
summer of this year a number of the inhabi- 
tants of the Jerseys from Freehold and its 
neighborhood purchased land adjoining 
Sweetman, and commenced clearing it, and 
built them cabins. At the approach of win- 
ter they returned to the south, and the next 



To distinguish the settlement from the com- 
munity on Long Lake, it was called Free- 
hold, which name it bore until its organiza- 
tion as a town, when it was named Charl- 
ton. 

This composed the bulk of the settlement. 
Its appearance when compared with that of 
the present time would present a strong and 
wonderful contrast. The country now ■ 
chequered with beautiful and fruitful farms, 
studded with neat and comfortable dwellings, 
surrounded with all the appliances of thrifty 
husbandry, was then covered with a dense 
forest, save where some of these hardy pio- 
neers had made "clearings" and erected their 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



IT 



log cabins, and among the yet smouldering 
brush-heaps and charred stumps had planted 
their first seed, looking forward at best to a 
precarious growth and scanty harvest. From 
one cabin to another rough roads were 
opened through the heavy timber, or simply 
"blazed" out for the neighborhood con- 
venience. 

Their life was one of severe labor and 
trial, and full of danger. Few possessed suf- 
ficient of this world's goods to secure any 
luxuries, and even those of comparative 
wealth found their life in the wilderness a 
complete barrier against indulgence in any 
style of living different from their poorer and 
laborious neighbors. Schenectady was the 
nearest point from which to obtain supplies. 
There were no framed houses in the settle- 
ment until after 1774. 

GENERAL JAMES GORDON. 

About the commencement of the Revolu- 
tion Gen. Gordon erected a flouring mill on 
the Mourning Kill, near his residence, and 
a saw-mill nearly opposite, on the same 
stream. He was a man of great business en- 
ergy and capacity, and being possessed of 
wealth and large experience, he applied him- 
self to the development of the resources of 
the new settlement. His keen discernment 
saw the present and future value of the 
water-power of its streams, and he at once 
purchased and improved all he could secure. 
Mills seem to have been his hobby. Besides 
the one above mentioned, he erected a saw- 
mill on the stream known as "Gordon creek," 
where it crosses the "middle line;" a grist 
mill on the Kayaderosseras, near Ingails' 
paper mill ; " and another above it on the 
same stream where the present mill stands at 
Milton Centre. 

General Gordon was the leading man in 
the new community, and his wealth and long 
experience of frontier life, as an Indian 
Trader, made him the guide and adviser of 
the settlers. He retained his social influence 
to the last, dying in 1810, after serving in 
most of the political offices in the gift of a 
grateful people, and being honored by com- 
inissions of high trust by the authorities of 
the State. The first death commemorated in 
Ballston by a grave-stone was that of his 

"Ingails' paper mill was at Factory village. 



mother, "Martha, relict of Alexander Gor- 
don," who died in 1775. 

THE FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

A community composed of the descend- 
ants of the Puritans and emigrants from the 
land of Knox, and founded by a zealous 
clergyman of their faith, could not long re- 
main without a tabernacle, however rude, in 
which to praise the God of their fathers. A 
condition of Mr. Ball's grant expressly pro- 
vided for the ministrations of religion; the 
speculators in these lands, wiser than the chil- 
dren of light, well knowing that after good 




Grave o£ Eliphalet Ball 

land and valuable timber, "stated preaching" 
was the strongest temptation to offer New 
England emigration. 

In 1772 a log building was erected on the 
comer of the square near where the District 
school house now stands, east of the present 
Presbyterian church at Ballston Centre." 
In this the Rev. Mr. Ball preached to the 
assembled settlement on the Sabbath. This 
building was soon succeeded by another and 
larger framed one, afterwards known as the 
"Old Red Meeting House," which was finally 
turned into an Academy when the present 
church site was selected. From an aged min- 
ister of the Gospel, who remembers the old 

"This log meetinghouse stood on the southwest 
corner of the square at Academy Hill. The "Balls- 
ton Fort" of the Revolution, was a high stockade 
built around this meeting-house. 



18 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



church, we learn that it was the earHest edi- 
fice consecrated to public worship erected in 
the county. Eliphalet Ball died in Ballston 
in 1797.^* 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 

When the War of Independence began, 
though few in numbers and far removed 
from the centres of population, the pioneers 
of Balls-town were neither indifferent nor 
uninterested in the contest, or its result. 
Their exposed northern frontier residence ; 
their proximity to the Indians, who yet 
tliirsted to avenge the wrongs they had suf- 
fered by the Kayaderosseras Grant, by which 
they had been despoiled of their ancient 
hunting grounds ; the powerful interest and 
known hatred to the Patriot cause of the 
Johnson family, their next neighbors on the 
west; the extensive and secret machinations 
of the tories in their own midst, prompted 
by emissaries from Johnstown and Canada ; 
their remote and unprotected situation, ex- 
posing them to the fury of the first assaults 
from the north, all conspired to make them 
keenly alive to the dangers, and anxious for 
the result of the great struggle for Independ- 
ence. 

But the times found men in all respects 
equal to the emergency and peril. Measures 
were instantly taken for the security of the 
settlements. A "Committee of Public Safe- 
ty" was organized, composed of the promi- 
nent men of the "Ball-Town District," and 
among its members were James Gordon, Be- 
riah Palmer, Hezekiah Middlebrook and An- 
drew Mitchell. The Militia were organized 
and Gordon was commissioned Colonel, with 
Mitchell as Major. Many enlisted in the line, 
among whom were Stephen White, who re- 
ceived the rank of Captain, and John Ball as 
Lieutenant. A large part of Capt. Samuel 
Van Vechten's company in Col. Wynkoop's 
regiment, was recruited from this locality, 
and Captain White enlisted many for Jiis 

"Mr. Ball is buried in the "Briggs burying 
ground." The stone at the head of the grave bears 
this inscription: "Sic transit, gloria miindi. Sacred 
to the memory of Rev. Eliphalet Ball who died April 
6, 1797. aged 75 years. 

Depart my friends ; dry up your tears, 
I must lie here 'till Christ appears." 

Mr. Ball is still called by many of the old residents 
"Priest" Ball, the familiar name applied to him in 
earliest days. 



company in Col. Willett's regiment. Among 
the most active in encouraging and advising 
in these measures of patriotic resistance was 
the founder and faithful pastor of the settle- 
ment, Eliphalet Ball, who in these perilous 
times proved himself a worthy leader of the 
Church militant. During this noble fervor 
for Independence we find the name of Joe 
Bettys, that synonym for all that is infamous, 
as a Sergeant under Col. Wynkoop. 

These events occurred in 1775-6, and the 
Committee soon found that many in the set- 
tlement were secretly plotting in favor of 
the Crown and holding communication with 
Canada. For the protection of the settle- 
ment during the alarm occasioned by the 
threatened invasion from the north, under 




Court House Hill. The Court House site was near the 
house at the right. 

the advice of Gen. Schuyler, a fort was built 
on the corner where Mr. Ball's church stood. 
In fact that building formed part of the for- 
tification, being surrounded by a palisade of 
oak logs, surmounted with pickets, and 
pierced with loop-holes for musketry. A 
further defence, consisting of an earthen 
breastwork, was erected on what is known 
as "Court House Hill." By these active and 
threatening measures most of the district 
was kept in comparative quiet, and the plot- 
tings and designs of the loyalists defeated. 

TORIES OF THE REVOLUTION. 

In the spring of 1777 an extensive con- 
spiracy of the tories was discovered, involving 
a large number of the inhabitants of Balls- 
Town, and extending into the adjacent dis- 
tricts and counties. Its head was one Huet- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



19 



son, who had the boldness to openly call for 
royal volunteers from the disaffected commu- 
nities, and had even seduced numbers of the 
patriot soldiery into his plans before discov- 
ery. Happily the vigilance of the Balls- 
Town Committee scented the treasonable 
plot before its execution, and by their timely 
activity saved the township from the terrors 
of a tory rising. The conspirators were cap- 
tured and tried, and after the execution of 
their sentences of fine and imprisonment, 
succeeded in fleeing to Canada and took ser- 
vice in the royal forces. During the remain- 
der of the war they were maliciously active 
in forays upon Balls-Town and the northern 
settlements, rendering themselves infamous 
by their acts of malignant revenge against 
their old neighborhoods. They were the 
chosen tools of Joe Bettys in all his desper- 
ate incursions. The names of the Balls- 
Town tories were William Frazer, Thomas 
Frazer, Thomas Verte, Joseph Shearer, Al- 
exander McLoughlin, John Mickle, John 
Fairman, Archibald McNeil, John Summer- 
ville, James Grant, John Burns, Michael 
Conner and John McLaughlin. 

The close of the war was the signal for a 
large immigration into the county from New 
England. The long contest had impoverished 
the land, and families who had, in the good 
old colonial times enjoyed a competence and 
comparative wealth, now found themselves 
reduced to poverty as the price of their po- 
litical independence. Emigration from their 
old homes, which want compelled them to 
sacrifice, to the new and cheaper lands of 
this then "far west," became a necessity. 
Large numbers of veterans who had fought 
the good fight on the battlefields of the Revo- 
lution, and borne the banner of Independ- 
ence to its glorious triumph through that 
unequaled contest, through privation and 
want ; through slaughter and blood ; left at 
the termination of the war with but a mis- 
erable pittance, in the form of the depreci- 
ated Continental currency, on which to return 
to the arts of peace, turned their weary foot- 
steps to the virgin forests of the Kayader- 
osseras country, to carve therefrom new 
homes for themselves and their impoverished 
families. 

Mr. Booth's history of the town Ballston 
ends here. 



AFTER THE WAR. 

The two years immediately succeeding the 
peace witnessed a large influx of population 
into the Ball-Town district. The original 

settlements received new life and vigor, and 
new and more remote ones were established. 
Among those who located themselves near 
Mr. Ball were the Curtis family, Nathaniel 
Booth, Samuel Titus, David Odell and Ste- 
phen Seelye, mostly from Connecticut. 

A little later, Miles Beach, father of the 
famous lawyer, William A. Beach, came to 
the Ball-Town settlement, and about the 
same time came Seth C. Baldwin, who after- 
wards became Supervisor of the town, a 
Member of Assembly, Sheriff and County 
Clerk. Among others of this period was 
Jonathan Peckham, who made the first 
"clearing" within the present limits of Ball- 
ston Spa, on which he built a log cabin as 
early as 1783. Ezekiel Horton came from 
Hebron, Connecticut, in 1800, and settled in 
the western part of the town. Some years 
afterwards he removed to Academy Hill, and 
kept the old tavern which was occupied as 
a hotel until it was destroyed by fire a few 
years ago. His son, James W. Horton, for 
nearly forty years clerk of Saratoga county, 
was born there, and received his early educa- 
tion at the Academy near by. Others who 
were prominent in the early days of the last 
century were Caleb Benedict, Gideon Luther, 
Thaddeus Patchin, Amos Larkin, Uriah 
Benedict, Samuel Young,^* and Thaddeus 
Scribner, who was in the War of the Revo- 
lution, and saw Burgoyne lay down his 
arms. He was also, from 1800 to 1832, the 
"post-rider," or "old mail carrier, known 
far and wide by the blast on his horn." Scrib- 
ner became a resident of the village, and the 
"Scribner house," on the west side of Gor- 
don creek, and not far from "the spring," 
was long one of the old landmarks. 

In 1790 James Mann came from Hebron, 
Conn., and purchased one hundred acres one 
mile southwest of the Spring. The winter 
following he returned to Hebron and mar- 
ried Miss Tryphena Tarbox. His daughter. 
Miss Electa Mann, who lived on this farm 
all her life, some years ago described their 
bridal trip as follows: 

"They made their journey in a large sleigh, cov- 
"See biographical sketch. 



ao 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



ered with domestic linen. The conveyance was 
heavily laden with household furniture, and was 
drawn by an old-fashioned Yankee team, — a yoke of 
oxen, with a horse ahead. They were several days 
on the road, but the trip was not entirely lonely. 
One evening, meeting with a party of fellow-travel- 
ers, their resources were thrown together for en- 
joyment. A union supper and a dance followed, — 
not keeping as late hours, however, as parties of 
later times. 

"They came over the Middle Line road, leaving it 
about a mile from their new home. The pine woods 
were soon reached, through which the road wound, 
leading down the hill, over a log causeway, and to a 
rise of ground where the log house stood. That 
evening they took supper with the Knapp family, — 



was a minister of the Congregational faith, 
and the church was independent and Congre- 
gational in its form of government until after 
he retired from the pastorate in 1783. 

The first meeting for organization, of 
which any record can be found, was held 
September 22, 1775, when a brief covenant 
upon the basis of the Westminster Confes- 
sion of Faith was adopted and signed by the 
following persons, constituting the first roll 
of members: Zaccheus Scribner, Michael 
Dunning, Stephen White, Hezekiah Middle- 
brook, John Nash, Samuel Nash, Azor Nash, 




THE MANN HOMESTEAD, ERECTED 1805. 



of whom they purchased the place, — delicious corn- 
cake, fried pork and tea. The snow was two feet on 
the ground, and the March winds made wild music 
among the thick branches of the forest." 

In 1805 Mr. Mann built a large frame 
house, and this is one of the few remaining 
houses of early days, and has always been 
in possession of the Manns. It is now occu- 
pied by James R. Mann, a great-grandson of 
James Mann. In the kitchen of this house 
to-day, just to the left of the outer door, 
hangs ihe black felt hat, and underneath it 
two canes of James Mann, the elder. It was 
here that he hung them when the house was 
built, and for more than a hundred years, and 
ever since he placed them there for the last 
time, this has been their abiding place. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALLSTON. 

This pioneer church of the town was 
founded by Rev. Eliphalet Ball. Mr. Ball 



John Holmes, Eliakim Nash, David Clark, 
Thomas Brown, Ebenezer Sprague, Solo- 
mon Couch, Hezekiah Wood, Jonas White, 
IMary White, Martha Gordon, Elizabeth 
Ball, Jane Scott, Rhoda Nash, Sarah Nash, 
Jerusha Benedict, Mary Weed, Abigail Col- 
lins, Sarah Kellogg. 

Mr. Ball however instituted regular 
preaching services in 1771, and in 1772 built 
the first meeting-house — a small log build- 
ing — which gave place in 1780 to a frame 
building long known as the "old red meet- 
ing house," and in later years as the "Ball- 
ston Academy." It was located at Academy 
Hill, and was abandoned in 1803 when a new 
and larger meeting-house was erected where 
the present church stands, which was built 
during the pastorate of Rev. Charles H. Tay- 
lor, from 1854 to 1 86 1. 

The records of the church in the earliest 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



21 



years are very brief, and the names of the 
first oflFicers are not mentioned. In 1776 
John Young and wife, John Cabell and wife, 
William Belding, Eliphalet Kellogg, Solo- 
mon Couch, Uriah Benedict, Grickson Fris- 
by, Nathaniel Weed and Samuel Benedict 
united with the church on profession of faith. 
In 1780 the unique record is given that 
"nineteen husbands and the wives of all of 
them united at once" — John Cabell, James 
McCrea, Joseph Morehouse, Samuel Wood, 
Epenetus White, Matthew Fairchild, James 
Gordon, John Young, William Barnes, Rob- 
ert Speir, Samuel McCrea, Jabez Gorham, 
Nathan Raymond, John Wood, Beriah Pal- 
mer, Sunderland Sears, Michael Middle- 
brook, William Bettys and James Gordon, 

Jr. 

Rev. Ebenezer Martin succeeded Mr. Ball 
as pastor September 25, 1783, and October 
3 a new covenant was adopted. May 11, 
1787, the society completed a Presbyterian 
organization by electing Solomon Guernsey. 
James White and Isaac How, elders; Mich- 
ael Middlebrook and Eliphalet Kellogg, dea- 
cons. The church was admitted to the Pres- 
bytery in 1787 or 1788, and August 20, 1788, 
William Schenck was installed pastor. 

The pastors of the church from 1771 to 
the present time have been : Eliphalet Ball, 
Ebenezer Martin, William Schenck, John B. 
Smith, Jonathan Edwards, Joel Bradley, Ste- 
phen Porter, Reuben Sears, Reuben Smith, 
James V. Henry, Erasmus D. McMaster, 
Samuel S. Davis, David Murdock, George H. 
Thatcher, John B. Steele, Reuben Smith, 
Charles H. Taylor, E. B. Allen, A. B. Morse, 
Alexander S. Hoyt, Henry A. Lewis, S. R. 
Biggar, J. V. Wemple, and the present pas- 
tor, Philip Moore. 

An unusual number of candidates for the 
ministry have gone forth from this church : 
Reuben Sears, Henry R. Weed, Samuel S. 
Davis, John K. Davis, James McCrea, 
Charles E. Farman, Theophilus Redfield, 
Montgomery M. Wakeman, David Murdock, 
Nicholas J. Seely, Thomas C. Kirkwood, 
William H. Milham, W. W. Curtis and Mat- 
thew H. Calkins. 

The officers of the church at the present 
time are: The Session— William P. Betts, 
Charles Jennings, Edward Stewart, Lansing 
Cain. The Trustees— Herbert V. Calkins, 



Edward Stewart, Richard Post, Paul Brust, 
Lewis Sears, Austin J. Slade; clerk and 
treasurer, William De Freest. 

The church celebrated its centennial Sep- 
tember 22, 1875, at which time an exhaust- 
ive historical sketch of the church, by the 
pastor. Rev. Alexander S. Hoyt, was pub- 
lished. 

The first Episcopal church in Saratoga 
county was instituted in the town of Ballston 
in 1787, under the name of "Christ's church," 
and a church edifice was erected at Ballston 




Presbyterian Church, Ballston Centre, 1907. 

Centre. An account of this church will be 
found in connection with Christ church of 
Ballston Spa. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

Court House Hill, which became the 
county seat soon after the erection of the 
county in 1791, will always be a place of his- 
toric interest. The first court house and jail 
was erected here in 1796. It stood on the 
top of the hill, on the west side of the "mid- 
dle line" road, near where the house of Mr. 
Boyd Miller now stands. A large hotel for 
that day was built opposite the court house. 
In 1798 the first newspaper in the county, 



22 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



the "Saratoga Register or Farmers' Journal," 
was published at the thriving village. In 1813 
there were, besides the court house, twenty- 
five houses and several stores. The settle- 
ment was called Ballston Village, and also 
Saratoga Village, from the name of the 
county. The court house was burned in 18 16, 
and the county seat removed to Ballston Spa. 
Where a growing hamlet then existed there 
are now only two or three houses, one of them 
the old hotel which sheltered judges, barris- 
ters and jurors in those early days. 



Ballston Lake is a small hamlet at the 
head of the lake, on the Delaware and Hud- 
son railroad, and the Schenectady and Sara- 
toga electric road. 

Forest Park is a recently established and 
attractive summer resort on the western shore 
of the lake. 

East Line is a small hamlet in the towns 
of Ballston and Malta, the "east line road" 
being the town line. The Episcopalians have 
a mission chapel here, and there is also a dis- 
trict school. 



I^J 


L J,3H 






^^^■^^^L^^^u hsMi^^ 


1 ^m . ■ji ^ — -^B^Kl^^^^l 



OLD HOTEL, COURT llOL'SK HILL, EKECTKL) V,:i 



Ballston Centre is on the "middle line," 
about a mile south of Court House Hill. The 
church organized by Eliphalet Ball is now lo- 
lated here, and is one of our most prosper- 
ous churches. A historical sketch of this 
earliest church is given elsewhere. 

Academy Hill is one mile east of Balls- 
ton Centre. Spafford's Gazetteer, published 
in 1813, says: "The Academy and Town 
House, which was formerly occupied by Par- 
son Ball and his congregation as a house of 
worship are located here. This is also called 
Ballston Village, and has an Academy, a 
post-office, hotel and twenty to thirty houses, 
stores, etc." The hotel was burned some 
years ago ; and the "Academy," for many 
years an excellent school, teaching the higher 
English and classical branches, is now but 
a disappearing memory, the building having 
been destroyed by fire many years ago. 



Burnt Hills is a beautiful village with a 
population of about three hundred. The 
hotel in the center of the village was one of 
the most popular taverns of stage-coaching 
days, being the half-way house between Sche- 
nectady and Ballston Spa. There are three 
churches — Baptist, Episcopal and Methodist. 
The Baptist society is one of the earliest in 
the county, having been instituted in 1791. 
There is also a graded public school. 

For a number of years Rev. H. W. Bulk- 
eley conducted a large boarding school for 
boys about two miles south of Ballston Spa, 
the Academy being situated on the south bank 
of the Mourning Kill. It is novv the residence 
of Rev. S. B. Stewart. 

The town, outside the village of Ballston 
Spa, has from the earliest settlement been de- 
voted almost entirely to agricultural pursuits. 
Spafford's Gazetteer (1813) says: "The hi- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



23 



habitants are principally farmers, of plain do- 
mestic habits, possessing the blessings of in- 
dustry, temperance and frugality. Much of 
their clothing is the joint product of their 
farms and houses, the most honorable to 
farmers of any that can be worn." 

In very early times Peter Williams had a 
tannery, and also a shoe-shop on the Mourn- 
ing Kill. 

Prior to 1825 Sylvester Blood had an axe 
factory on the Mourning Kill, and Edmund 
Hubbell a woolen mill on the same stream. 
The buildings were burned about 1825, and 
were not rebuilt. 

Among the prominent men of the town 
during the past half century, with whom the 
writer had a personal acquaintance, the fol- 




exception of Dr. Abel, were prosperous farm- 
ers, the fertile soil, under their careful tillage, 
yielding abundant crops. From its first set- 
tlement to the present day the town has ever 
been one of the finest farming regions in the 
Empire State. 



Mourning Kill, at Bulkeley's. 

lowing are recalled: Henry I. Curtis, Sam- 
uel Rue, John J. Sherwood, Edward C. Del- 
evan, Thomas Feeney, David R. Harlow, 
Thomas B. Sherwood, Egbert Haight, David 
Atkins, Henry Davis, Dorus Hicks, John Vib- 
bard, John Van Buren, Charles W. Smith, 
Calvin T. Peek, Carmi Smith, S. Wakeman 
Buel, William Southard, Jonas Southard, Al- 
bert S. Curtis, William S. Curtis, James P. 
Smith, Morehouse Betts, Anson B. Garrett, 
Hanford Betts, George Smith, Samuel R. Gar- 
rett, Barnabas Grossman, Henry Doolittle, 
Amos Hewitt, Calvin P. Calkins, Jehiel J Mil- 
ler, Elisha Curtis, Piatt Jennings, Alonzo B. 
Comstock, Riley Crippen, the Bradts, the Mer- 
chants, Alexander Sears and Henry Sears, 
Sanford Pierson, the Larkins, John P. Roe, 
the popular auctioneer, Truman Kathan, Isaac 
Schauber, Nathan J. Seely, and Doctor 
Reuben Abel. These men, with the single 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

JAMES GORDON. 

At the time Saratoga county was set off 
from Albany county, (1791), James Gordon 
had long been a distinguished citizen of this 
part of New York. He was born October 31, 
1739, at Killcad, County of Antrim, Ireland, 
He was of a Presbyterian family of Scottish 
origin ; his ancestors on both sides having em- 
grated from Scotland in "Montrose's time," 
to escape the persecution. His paternal an- 
cestors were from Haddingtonshire, and more 
remotely from the Highlands. Having re- 
ceived a classical education, and disliking the 
medical profession for which his father had 
designed him, in 1758, at the age of nineteen, 
he embarked for New York on a mercantile 
adventure. Narrowly escaping the pursuit of 
a French privateer, his vessel safely arrived 
in port. After disposing of his share of the 
cargo, and visiting Philadelphia, he went to 
Albany, and subsequently in connection with 
John Macomb of that place, a relative, was 
engaged in furnishing supplies for the army 
which had then marched for Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point under the command of Gen. Am- 
herst. On the close of the war he became a 
partner with Askim & Rogers, a commercial 
house in Albany, established principally for 
carrving on the Indian trade with Detroit and 
the other Western Forts. He continued in 
this business until 1763, when he sold out and 
returned to his parents in Ireland. 

In 1765 he returned to America, and soon 
after went to Oswego and supplied goods for 
the garrison at that place, being a partner or 
agent of Phyne & Ellice, Indian traders of 
Schenectady. About 1771 he removed to the 
"Ball-Town district," then almost a wilder- 
ness, in which he was an extensive landed pro- 
prietor. In 1773 he visited his native country, 
and the next year the surviving members of 
his deceased father's family, consisting of his 



24 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



mother, a brother, and two sisters,* followed 
him to Ballston. In 1775 he was married to 
Mary, daughter of Rev. Eliphalet Ball. He 
took an early and decided stand in favor of the 
colonies in their difficulty with the mother 
country, and when hostilities commenced his 
influence, which was quite extensive, was 
actively exerted in their behalf. He was com- 
missioned as a Colonel of tlie State Militia, 
and performed service as such on several 
occasions during the war. His capture and 
imprisonment in Canada, and his escape and 
sufferings on the route from Quebec to Pas- 
samoquoddy, through the wildnemess, will 
hereafter be noticed. In 1785 he was com- 
missioned a Brigadier-General by Governor 
Clinton. 

Gen. Gordon was distinguished for his 
sagacity, sound and discreet judgment and 
strict integrity. Although reserved and some- 
what austere in his intercourse, and digni- 
fied in his bearing, he was nevertheless the 
most popular man of his day in this locality. 
He was the first Supervisor of Ballston, 
which was then in Albany county, and em- 
braced one-half of the present county of Sar- 
atoga, and continued in that position several 
years. He was a member of the Assembly, 
and nine years a State Senator. He was also 
a Representative in the Second and Third 
Congress, while Washington was President. 
In politics he was a Federalist. Sometime 
after the war he was honored with a visit at 
his residence in Ballston, from Gen. Wash- 
ington, and some of the members of his mil- 
itary staff, who were returning from a tour 
of inspection at the North, and had visited 
on their return, the springs at Saratoga and 
Ballston. Gen. Gordon died in Ballston Jan- 
uary 17, 1810. 

BERIAH PALMER. 

Beriah Palmer first came into this section 
about 1769, having been appointed a surveyor 
to assist in running the allotment lines of the 
Kayaderosseras Patent. When the survey was 
completed in 1771 he settled on the farm for 
many years known as the "Dominie Davis 
farm," near Burnt Hills, in late years the 
home of S. Wakeman Buel. During the 
Revolution he took a prominent and active 

*Mrs. George Scott, and Sarah, afterwards Mrs. 
William McCrea. 



part on the side of the patriots, and was a 
leading member of the Committee of Safety 
in this part of Albany county, and also served 
in the Twelfth Regiment of the State Militia. 
He represented Saratoga county in the As- 
sembly in 1793-4-5; was appointed Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas in 1791 ; repre- 
sentative in Congress. 1803-5 ; delegate to Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1801 ; Surrogate 
1808-12; Supervisor 1790-91 and again in 
1799, and Moderator of the first Board of 
Superv'isors of Saratoga county in 1791. Mr. 
Palmer died May 20, 1812, aged 72 years. 
His grave is in the village cemetery at Balls- 
ton Spa. 

DR. SAMUEL D.WIS. 

Dr. Samuel Davis was the second phy- 
sician to locate in the Balls-Town settlement, 
coming here in 1790. His predecessor in the 
field was Dr. Elisha Miller who came from 
Westchester county in 1770, about the same 
time as Parson Ball, and settled on the east 
side of the lake, near the outlet, and lived 
a long and active life. Dr. Davis was bom 
in East Hampton, Long Island, in 1765. At 
an early age he chose the profession of med- 
icine, and became distinguished as a physi- 
cian and surgeon of the old school. After 
the completion of his medical course, he prac- 
ticed with great acceptance for two years in 
Schoharie county, N. Y. Then Beriah Palmer 
and Seth C. Baldwin, two of Ballstown's in- 
fluential citizens, learning from friends in 
Albany who had become acquainted with him, 
of his skill and success for so young a man, 
induced him to settle in Ballstown, where at, 
twenty-five years of age, he began a practice 
which continued with great success for fifty 
years. Dr. Davis settled on the "middle 
line," where A. J. Slade now resides. He 
died in 1840, in his 76th year. He secured 
not only an enviable confidence in his skill in 
the profession, but the respect, esteem and 
confidence of the inhabitants of the commun- 
ity, as a man of high moral character, genial 
and gentlemanly in his manners, and a chris- 
tian gentleman. 

SAMUEL YOUNG. 

Samuel Young was bom in the town of 
Lenox, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 
December, 1779. He came with his parents 
to Saratoga county about the close of the 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



25 



Revolutionary war. As a farmer's boy his 
opportunities for acquiring an education were 
limited to the "district school," and studying 
by the light of a pine knot, after a hard day's 
work in the field or woods, and long after the 
rest of the family were asleep. Having de- 
termined to enter the legal profession, he 
commenced the study of the law as a clerk 
in the office of Judge James Emott, then 
practicing near Court House Hill. After 
completing his studies, he was admitted to 
the Bar and soon acquired a large and lucra- 
tive practice. 

He was early called into public life, and 
for more than thirty years was recognized as 
one of the leading statesmen of his time. He 
was Supervisor of Ballston in the years 1809- 
IO-12-13; in 1814 he was Member of As- 
sembly, and being returned in 1815, was 
elected Speaker. In 1816 he was appointed 
one of the canal commissioners of the State, 
serving in this capacity for twenty-four years, 
during which period the Erie canal was con- 
structed. He was a military aide on the staff 
of Governor Tompkins in 1816, which gave 
him the title of "Colonel," and from this time 
until his death he was everywhere known as 
Colonel Young. In 1821 he was elected with 
Salmon Child, John Cramer and Jeremy Rock- 
well to represent Saratoga county in the 
State convention for the revision of the 
Constitution. In 1824 he was nominated for 
{jovernor, but was defeated by De Witt Qin- 
ton. The next year he was elected to the 
Assembly, and on the assembling of the Leg- 
islature in 1826, was again chosen Speaker. 
At this time, John W. Taylor, residing in the 
same town, was Speaker of the National 
House of Representatives. At the fall elec- 
tion in 1830 they were pitted against each 
other for Congress, Colonel Young being de- 
feated by a small majority. 

In 1833 ^^ '^^s appointed a first judge of 
Saratoga county, holding the office until the 
expiration of his term in 1838, declining re- 
appointment. In 183s he was again elected 
to the State Senate, and re-elected in 1838. 
Resigning in 1840, he was again chosen in 
1845, and was a member of that body until 
the close of the session in 1847, when his 
term expired under the new Constitution. In 
1842 the Legislature elected him Secretary 
of State, in which office he continued until 



1845. During this term of office he was act- 
ing superintendent of common schools, and 
laid the foundation of our masterly system 
of public instruction. Colonel Young was 
one of the Regents of the University from 
1817 to 1835, when he resigned. 

After the close of his public career, in 1847, 
Colonel Young retired to his farm in Ball- 
ston, just north of Academy Hill, where he 
died on the third day of November, 1850, in 
the seventy-third year of his age. He was 
essentially a self-made man, and the habit of 
study acquired in early youth always clung to 
him, and he became possessed of a classical, 
scientific and general education such as few 
collegians aspire to. After passing the age 
of sixty he commenced the study of several 
of the modern languages, and retained his 
vigor of mind to the last. 

Colonel Young was a public speaker of 
great force, and a gifted orator. He was in 
great demand throughout the State on public 
occasions, and delivered the oration at a cele- 
bration of the sixty-fourth anniversary of the 
Declaration of Independence, in New York 
city, on July 4, 1840. On the Fourth of July, 
1826, the semi-centennial of American Inde- 
pendence, Colonel Young, at that time Speaker 
of the State Assembly, presided at the cele- 
bration in Ballston Spa, and John W. Taylor, 
then Speaker of the House of Representa- 
tives, was the orator of the occasion. It is 
said of him that "he combined brilliant speak- 
ing with brilliant writing." As Speaker of 
the Assembly he became known as "the sword, 
the shield, and the ornament of his party." 



Epenetus White was one of the party of 
surveyors in charge of Beriah Palmer. He 
was from Stamford, Connecticut, and his 
family was the only one of the congregation 
of Rev. Eliphalet Ball which accompanied 
him to the settlement in 1770, other families 
coming a year later. White settled on the 
east side of Ballston Lake, his homestead be- 
ing on the site of the brick house for many 
years the Collamer residence. He was a man 
of ability and occupied a prominent position 
among the pioneer settlers. He served in the 
Revolutionary army. In 1794 he was ap- 
pointed a Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas. 



26 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Stephen White, a brother of Epenetus 
White, came to the new settlement in Ball- 
Town in 1 77 1. He was a Captain in Col. Van 
Schoonhoven's Regiment during the Revolu- 
tion, and also in the regiment of Col. Marinus 
Willett. The late Judge Scott received from 
his father, James Scott, the following inter- 
esting reminiscence: "Capt. Stephen White 
in 1781 commanded a company of nine months 
men in Col. Willett's regiment. In the fall 
of that year this company distinguished itself 
in the battle of Johnstown. Capt. White, with 
several of his men, after a gallant struggle, 
was captured and taken to Canada. They 
did not return home until after the peace. 
During their march to Canada, the Indians 
formed the death ring around Capt. White, 
and while the tomahawk hung suspended 
over his head, he, with a courage and pres- 
ence of mind seldom equalled, wrested it 
from the savage, while the other savages ex- 
claimed "brave," and all proceeded on their 
march." 

Sf.th C. Baldwin was a pioneer settler of 
the town. His home was near Academy Hill. 
He filled important public positions for many 
years. He was Supervisor in 1793, and 
1 800-1; Member of Assembly 1797-8-9: 
Sheriff 1801-2-3; County Clerk for nine- 
years, from 1804 to 1813. He kept the 
county records at his residence, no public of- 
fice having then been built. 

Edward A. Watkous came in 1771 and 



made his pioneer home on the south side of 
Court House hill, where the late Alonzo 
Comstock resided. Mr. Watrous served in 
the Revolutionary war, and was among 
those who were captured in the Tory raid of 
1780, and taken to Canada. He was Mem- 
ber of Assembly 1800-2; supervisor in 1794- 
5-6; county treasurer from 1805 to 1810. 

The three McCrea brothers, Samuel, 
James and William, came from New Jersey 
soon after Eliphalet Ball, and located about 
one mile north of Academy Hill. They were 
prominent men in the settlement, and became 
widely known through the tragic death of 
tlieir sister, Jeannie McCrea. James Mc- 
Crea was Member of Assembly in 1824, and 
Supervisor from 1816 to 1823. In 1818 he 
was appointed a Judge of the Court of Com- 
mon rieas. Samuel McCrea was Super- 
visor in 1805-6-7-8. William McCrea was 
Coroner in 1809-10. 

Among residents of the town in the early 
years who held official positions we find 
Henry Walton, Surrogate from 1794 to 
1808; David Rogers, Member of Assembly 
in 1805-7-9-11; John Gibson, Member of As- 
sembly in 1818; Abner Carpenter, Member 
of Assembly in 1819; Samuel Cook, Master 
in Chancery in 1801 : Caleb Benedict, County 
Treasurer in 1794; Nathan Raymond, Coro- 
ner in 1796-7-8; Nathaniel Booth, Super- 
visor 1802-3-4. 




BRIGilS BURYING GROUND, 
Many pioneer settlers are buried here. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



27 



(( 



Burning of Ballstown" 



THE greatest disaster which befell 
the Ballstown District during the 
Revolutionary War was one of the 
tragic events of the Indian and 
Tory raid known in history as The Northern 
Invasion of 1780. That the notorious tory 
spy, Joe Bettys, was the instigator of the 
raid upon the Ballstown settlement, there can 
be little doubt ; that he acted as guide for 
Captain Munro is conclusively shown in the 
narration of the meeting of Bettys and Heze- 
kiah Middlebrook on the day preceding the 
night in October when the descent was made 
upon the settlement. 

Mr. Booth in his unpublished history, gives 
the most authentic and complete account of 
this historic event, and other exploits of Joe 
Bettys of a similar character, that has ever 
been written. 

The diary of Colonel Gordon, and the story 
of Mrs. Waller, his daughter, who was an 
eye-witness of the scenes enacted on that ter- 
rible night, have never before been published. 
Nor is the story of "The Tory, Banta," to be 
found in the published histories. 

In the chapter which follows, Mr. Booth 
has made a valuable contribution to the his- 
tory of the Revolution. 

THE TORY SPY— JOE BETTYS. 

By John C. Booth. 

Among all the fears of the people none 
could equal that in which one man alone was 
held. This individual was Joseph Bettys, an 
embodiment of every trait that would serve 
to render a man dans^erous and to be dreaded. 
In all the injuries inflicted on the settlement 
his hand could be traced. Around him as 
the centre from which they received their in- 
telligent direction and power — all the secret 
machinations and bold escapades that so often 
startled the northern frontier revolved. Se- 
cret and unscrupulous in his means ; daring 



and desperate in action ; malicious and re- 
vengeful by nature, he was the incarnation 
of all that was terrible in war, and fearful in 
the spy and desperado. No individual in that 
long contest exhibited such daring, such abil- 
ity in the acts of the spy, such undaunted res- 
olution, such desperate sacrifices, as did he, 
and when to these we add a malice that was 
insatiable, a conscience that knew no guide 
but revenge, a nature utterly unscrupulous in 
its choice of means to gratify its unhallowed 
ends, we have a character which in times of 
peace was to be feared, and in the unbridled 
license of war became an object of unmiti- 
gated terror. Such was Joe Bettys, and his 
name to this day is held in merited execra- 
tion for his manifold crimes and outrages on 
this frontier. 

His father and himself had settled in the 
district shortly after Mr. Ball came, on the 
site where William Wilson now resides,* 
next south of the Merchant place, on the Mid- 
dle Line. Here the family kept an inn, dis- 
pensing the usual "entertainment for man 
and beast," which the narrow limits and 
scanty larder of a frontier cabin and "clear- 
ing" could supply to a custom that could not 
have been large or fastidious. The elder 
Bettys seems to have been much respected and 
esteemed by his neighbors, and an unsus- 
pected patriot. He was quite advanced in 
years when the Revolution began, and 
from age and disposition took no active in- 
terest in the movement. Probably too, like 
a wise Boniface, as he no doubt was, he 
thought it prudent in "mine host" not to of- 
fend either party by an officious activity, 
lest custom should suffer. 

Not so with his son, however. Irritable, 
fond of excitement, hold and reckless, war 
offered to him a field of activity too inviting 
to be avoided. Accordingly we find John 
Ball enlisting him as sergeant in Captain Van 

'Now the residence of Anson Mead. 



28 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Vechten's company. With him he went to 
the rehef of Fort Stanwix. Unaccustomed 
to the restraints of military life and unable 
to control his temper, he one day struck his 
superior officer, for some imaginary insult, 
and for this offense was reduced to the ranks. 
Who can tell how much this first disgrace 
affected his life and aroused those feelings 
of malignant revenge which prompted his 
after deeds? Still, through the intercession 
of powerful friends, who knew his boldness 
and daring, he was again promoted, but in 
another branch of service. He had, before 
the war, lead a wild and roving life, and some- 
time followed the sea. In the northern cam- 
paign of '76, he was appointed to a sergeantcy 
on one of the vessels composing the fleet 
commanded by Arnold on Lake Champlain. 
No two men, in the marked features of their 
characters, more resembled each other. Both 
were brave almost to recklessness ; both 
unscrupulous and selfish ; both headstrong and 
irritable; both as skillful in management as 
they were undaunted in danger; both malig- 
nant and revengeful in heart; and both at- 
tained to the same deathless notoriety ; traitors 
to the holiest of causes, and despoilers of the 
heritage they sought to betray. 

In the desperate action which closed that 
campaigTi, Bettys fighting under the immedi- 
ate eye of General Waterbury, displayed a 
courage and skill that won tokens of the 
warmest ai)provaI from that veteran com- 
mander. In the midst of the bloodiest slaugh- 
ter, when all of his superior officers were 
killed or disabled, and his vessel sinking, with 
a courage which no danger could daunt, he 
still continued to fight his ship with a skill 
and desperation that seemed to defy defeat. 
Not until orders from his General compelled 
him did he quit his sinking hulk, and then in 
the heat of the action repairing to Water- 
bury's vessel, he continued to fight with the 
same imflinching bravery, until its flag was 
finally struck to the enemy. Better far had 
it been for Bettys could he have perished in 
this bloody battle ! But the evil fates reserved 
hjm as a scourge to his countrymen and a 
disgrace to mankind. 

After this action he went to Canada, re- 
ceived an ensign's commission in the British 
army, and devoted himself body and soul to 
the cause of the Crown. His intimate knowl- 



edge of the country, his sagacity and cunning, 
his indomitable perseverance and courage 
made him an invaluable acquisition to the ene- 
my. Secreting a body of soldiers in some 
hiding place in the neighboring forests, to be 
near to assist him in an emergency, he would 
enter the frontier settlements in some impene- 
trable disguise and marking its prominent 
patriots, return to the rendezvous, and when 
night had fallen upon his unsuspecting vic- 
tims, sally forth, capturing their persons and 
pillaging their houses. At other times, did 
his commander in Canada desire to communi- 
cate with the British in New York, Bettys 
was the man selected for the hazardous enter- 
prise. Unknown, unscathed, he would pass 
and repass through the savage wilderness, the 
hostile camps and country, on his treasonable 
errands, well knowing that discovery was 
death, and that the country was alive with 
spies for his detection. No enterprise was too 
hazardous for his courage or too difficult for 
his perseverance. Continually hovering with 
predatory bands of Tories and Indians upon 
the frontier, and constantly in communication 
with the disaft'ected, he possessed accurate in- 
telligence of the strength and movements of 
the patriots, and was thus enabled to fall upon 
any unprotected locality with a certainty of 
success that clothed his movements with some- 
thing akin to supernatural dread. 

At one time with a band of desperadoes, he 
was leading a wild foray for pillage upon some 
devoted settlement; at another, with a few 
chosen comrades, he was dogging the steps of 
some ardent patriot to secure his capture. 
Now in a disguise that would defy detection 
he could be seen boldly walking the streets of 
Albany, gathering information and spying out 
its strength ; then again skulking in the cover 
of the neighboring wood he would send the 
assassin's bullet on its deadly mission, aimed 
at some doomed Whig peacefully laboring in 
his "clearing," or in the dead of night apply 
the torch to the corn-ricks and cabins of some 
victim of his malignant revenge. Ballstown 
seemed to be an especial object of hatred to 
him. Time and again was it startled by some 
daring escapade or wanton outrage perpe- 
trated by him. And yet every motive of an 
honorable man would have led him to spare 
his old neighbors. 

In one of his expeditions as a spy he was 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



■29 



captured in the Highlands of the lower Hud- 
son. Tried and condemned, he was doomed 
to the gibbet, when moved by the entreaties of 
his aged parents, the leading Whigs of Balls- 
town interceded for his pardon. Washington 
listened to their appeal and he was released 
from his merited doom and returned to his 
home. Probably maddened by the taunts of 
his neighbors and the disgrace of his treason, 
he repudiated the conditions of his pardon, 
and entered with more ferocity upon his ca- 
reer of desperate crime. His design seems 
to have been to capture and make way with 
every prominent patriot in the district. 

His first attempt was against Major Mitch- 
ell, who lived just north of his father's inn. 
The Major, always active and fearless in dis- 
charge of his duties, had been to Schenectady 
one day in the fall of '79 on business, and 
towards evening was returning alone on 
horse-back. He had crossed the Ael-PIaas be- 
low Burnt Hills, and was riding slowly 
through the woods when he was suddenly con- 
fronted by Bettys. Suspecting a plan to en- 
trap him, he put spurs to his horse, and turned 
him suddenly into the timber. As he did so 
he heard the ominous clicking of gim locks 
from the bushes near by and the shout of 
Bettys calling upon him to stop. "Hout, tout, 
my man ! It's no time for honest folk to be 
stopping here," replied the wary Scot, and 
springing from his horse he plunged into the 
almost impenetrable underbrush for escape. 
The baffled Tories sent a volley after him, 
but without effect, as the doughty Major 
came off safe and alarmed the settlement. 

During the following night, however, these 
desperadoes succeeded in capturing Judge 
Epenetus White and Captain David Rumsey. 
two old residents on the east shore of the 
Lake, and after pillaging their houses bore 
them off unmolested to Canada. The next 
year Bettys again returned from the north 
with a large force. During the season he was 
frequently seen skulking about the country, 
but all effort for his capture was unsuccess- 
ful. Aided by his marvelous knowledge of its 
hiding-places, and by assistance from the Tory 
residents of the district, he baffled every at- 
tempt at seizure. The disappearance of stock, 
the burning of some dwelling, or the sudden 
departure of some suspected Tory, showed 
that the daring marauder was busy at his 



work, pillaging and enlisting men for the 
Crown. 

THE TORY RAID OF I780. 

At last he executed the master stroke of 
malice and revenge. Although he took no per- 
sonal part in the actual transaction we are 
about to relate, yet there is every indication 
that he instigated, planned and guided the 
whole movement. P'rom memoranda made by 
the Hon. George G. Scott, of his father's 
(James Scott) narrative of the transactions 
of that fearful night, we are enabled to give 
the following account : 

It was in the month of October in 1780. 
The particulars of the fearful massacre 
at Cherry Valley had but a short time 
previously reached the Ball-Town settle- 
ment. Our informant says. "I well rec- 
ollect that a traveler in search of land, 
probably a speculator, stopped at our house 
and while eating his meal related to us all the 
particulars of that massacre. We had not be- 
fore heard of it. I remember also that our 
family, for several nights, fastened up the 
house and slept in the woods ; putting their 
most valuable effects in a chest and burying it 
in the ground." As the tidings of the fate of 
Cherry Valley spread through the settlement 
we can well imagine the terror produced by 
the above example. These apprehensions 
soon died away and the people began to feel 
a sense of security. But a master hand had 
woven the meshes of this plot against their 
safety, and he was never known to waver from 
his purpose. 

Sir Guy Carleton, then commanding in Can- 
ada, had fitted out an expedition of one thou- 
sand men, mostly refugees and Indians, to 
harass the northern frontier. Coming up Lake 
Champlain they landed at Bullwagga Bay, 
near Crown Point. Here a party of some two 
hundred, many of whom were Tories from the 
Ball-Town neighborhood, were despatched 
under command of Captain Hugh Munro, to 
march through the wilderness for that settle- 
ment, with orders "to plunder, burn, and take 
prisoners, but not to kill unless attacked." 
These orders, it is said, originated in a desire 
to prevent the bloody atrocities that had 
occurred at Cherr>' Valley. Crossing the 
wilderness to the head-waters of the Kay- 
aderosseras, they followed that stream down 



30 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



to West Milton. It was on the day that they 
arrived here, that Hezekiah Middlebrook, 
■driving some cattle from his homestead in the 
south part of the neighborhood, to a "clear- 
ing" he had further north in what is now 
tailed Milton, suddenly met Joe Bettys, who 
had not been heard from since the year be- 
fore. Of all the men in the patriot cause, 
Middlebrook seems to have been the only one 
for whom the spy had any feeling of grati- 
tude. As a slight redeeming incident it de- 
serves mention in the long record of crime 



he was going, and when informed, requested 
him to return to his home. Something in the 
Tory's manner impressed him with a sense of 
some impending danger, and accompanied by 
"Joe" he retraced his steps. Bettys did not 
go far with him, however, but suddenly plung- 
ing into the woods by the road-side, left Mid- 
dlebrook in a quandary of fear and wonder at 
his mysterious conduct. 

That night, October i6th, Munro's com- 
mand commenced their march upon the de- 
voted settlement. Their route lay down 




"THE KAYADEROSSER.AS RIVER, DOWN FROM BLITTERSDORF BRIDGE, BALLSTON SPA. 



and perfidy that constitutes his life. It also 
shows that Bettys was cognizant of the whole 
movement. Middlebrook before the war had 
shown "Joe" some little favor that had won 
his regard, and during these disastrous times 
had been full of neighborly kindnesses to his 
aged parents. Contrary to the usual bent of 
his nature, these acts seem to have inspired 
a sentiment of gratitude in the Tory's heart, 
and although I\Iidd!ebrook was a prominent 
Whig and Chairman of the Committee of 
Safety, he hesitated not to interfere for his 
safety. 

Bettys questioned Middlebrook as to where 



"Paisley street" through the Scotch settle- 
ment before spoken of to the house of a Tory 
named James McDonald, who lived about one 
mile west of what is now known as "Court 
House Hill," near Jonathan McBride's present 
residence.^ About dusk they stopped at a 
Highland Scotchman's, one Angus McDear- 
mid. The Indians were highly delighted with 
a spinning wheel which Dame McDearmid 
was using. The house was filled so full with 
the untutored admirers of this ancient house- 
hold appendage, that the floor gave way, pre- 
cipitating all into the cellar. McDearmid 

'Now the residence of Mrs. John Welsh. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



31 



seems to have been a Loyalist ; at all events on 
friendly terms with the enemy. 

Under the guidance of McDonald they here 
left the road, and following a well-beaten trail 
across the farm now owned by John J. Sher- 
wood, came to the "clearing" of General Gor- 
don. Here the party was divided, one detach- 
ment going to the house of Captain Tyrannis 
Collins, who lived near by, just across the 
Mourning Kill. Arrived here they attempted 
to break in the door, which was barred, with 
their tomahawks. Collins, aroused by the 
noise and suspecting the cause, sprang to the 
door and pressed against it with his back, until 
he was finally severely wounded by a blow 
from a tomahawk through the now shattered 
door. Effecting an entrance they made him 
prisoner. His son Mannassah, or "Mann" 
Collins, slept up-stairs in the cabin, and creep- 
ing through a square hole in the logs, intended 
for a window, escaped to the Fort and gave 
the alarm. 

The other party advanced directly upon 
Gordon's house which stood on the north side 
of the Mourning Kill, near the present house 
occupied by Solyman Coon.^ It was sur- 
rounded by many appliances of comfort and 
luxury, which the wealth of its owner enabled 
him to command ; though when compared 
with the farm houses of the present day in 
that neighborhood, it would present but a mea- 
gre and uninviting appearance. The first in- 
timation of danger that Gordon received was 
the smashing of the glass in the windows of 
the apartment in which himself, wife and lit- 
tle daughter* were sleeping. Springing from 
his bed he rushed to the door of the room 
opening into the hall, now filled with the ene- 
my. As he opened the door a powerful savage 
raised his tomahawk to strike him, but an of- 
ficer arrested his arm as the blow was des- 
cending, aimed at Gordon's head. At this 
time the old brass clock in the hall struck 
twelve. An Indian hearing it, shattered it in 
pieces with his tomahawk, exclaiming: "You 
never speak again." Having secured Gordon 
a scene of indiscriminate pillage ensued. The 
house was ransacked from top to bottom 
by the thieving squaws who accompanied the 
party, and everything that was of value that 

'Now the home of Fred West. 
'Afterwards -Mrs. Ver Planck and subsequently 
Mrs. Waller. 



was portable carried away. An attempt was 
made to lire the house and bams, but this 
was prevented by those in command. This 
order was not given on account of any gen- 
erous scruples, but from the fact that they had 
learned that the Fort at the church had been, 
within a few days, garrisoned by two hundred 
militia from Schenectady, and they were fear- 
ful that the light from the burning buildings 
would give the alarm of their proceedings. 
This information had also thwarted the origi- 
nal design of the expedition, which was to 
attack Schenectady, at which place Captain 
Munro had formerly been a merchant. 

Turning their attention to Balls-Town it 
was determined to capture every prominent 
Whig, and to lay waste their homesteads. But 
fearful of an attack in their rear, should they 
proceed to the southward of the fort, they 
began their operations at Gordon's. Besides 
Gordon, they took from his house Jack Gal- 
braith, an Irishman, John Parlow, a Canadian 
boy, servants, and Nero," Jacob and Ann, 
negro slaves. Another slave, a fat wench, 
"Liz," unobserved in the darkness and con- 
fusion, escaped to the cornfield, where she 
hid. The house dog, affrighted, ran barking 
towards her, when she tore a strip from her 
nightgown and tied it fast around his mouth 
to prevent his noise. She escaped capture. 

While these events were transpiring, the 
other party had attacked the house of Isaac 
Stow, Gordon's miller, which stood on the 
present site of the district school house. Stow 
escaped from them and ran towards Gordon's 
for the purpose of alarming him. Seeing the 
party with Gordon and the other prisoners 
coming towards the road he shouted, "Col- 
onel Gordon, save yourself! the Indians!" 
Gordon's captors started towards him. Stow 
detected his danger and sprang to one side 
towards a thicket on the bank of the mill-pond. 
Ere he reached it, however, an Indian hurled 
his pontoon at him, and he fell. The savage 
then dispatched him with his tomahawk, and 
secured his scalp. Thus the faithful man 
perished in his generous effort to save the 
life of his employer. 

The two parties now uniting, with their 
prisoners and booty they advanced northward 
up the "middle line." The next house they 

°James Scott received most of this information 
from Nero, after his return from captivity. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



attacked was Thomas Barnum's whom they 
captured. He lived where Dorus Hicks now 
resides." From here they proceeded to 
Captain Elisha Benedict's place. Here they 
made prisoners of the Captain and his three 
sons, Caleb, Elias and Felix, and Dublin, 
his slave, and after pillaging the house, fired 
the barn. The next house was the residence 
of Edward A. Watrous.' It stood on the 
south side of Court House Hill, and east of the 
road, and next beyond him, on the site where 
the old Court House was afterward built 
dwelt his father-in-law, Paul Pierson, and his 
son, John Pierson. These three were also 
captured and carried along. Beyond this, 
next north, lived John Higby and his son 
Lewis, where Samuel Raymond now resides.® 
They were taken and the house burnt. The 
"Hawkins farm," where James Tibbetts now 
resides," was then occupied by Jonathan Tiler. 
He heard the noise, and saw the light of 
Benedict's burning bam, and suspecting the 
cause aroused his family in all haste, and 
seizing what few effects he could carry, fled 
with them into the thick hemlocks that ad- 
joined his "clearing" on the east. The enemy 
coming up, pillaged his premises and fired the 
house, and then passed on to the north. 
Tiler's mother-in-law, "Granny Leake," who 
had concealed herself near the house, as soon 
as they had retired, rushed from her hiding 
place and succeeded in quenching the fire. 
The building yet stands, an eloquent memo- 
rial of that fearful night, with its sides charred 
with the fire that, but for the brave Granny 
Leake, would have reduced it to ashes. 

The next house was that of Lemuel Wilcox, 
a short distance north, on the east side of the 
road. Wilcox was in the army, and Mrs. 
Wilcox was alone. Hearing the noise at 
Tiler's and seeing the marauders approaching, 
she ran across the clearing to seek a hiding 
place in the barn. She was overtaken by a 
stalwart Indian, carrying a burning torch in 
his hand. The eye of the savage caught the 
glitter of a string of gold beads on the neck 



'The Hicks house w,-is on the west side of the 
"middle line," the first house north of the road run- 
ning past the Briggs cemetery. It was burned some 
years ago. The foundation can still be seen. 

'The Watrous cabin stood a little south of the 
residence of the late Alonzo B. Comstock. 

'Now the residence of William Pierson. 

•Now the home of Thomas OInev. 



of Mrs. Wilcox, and with a stroke of his scalp- 
ing knife he severed the chain, secured the 
beads, and hastily followed his party. Mrs. 
Wilcox sank fainting to the ground from 
terror, but was uninjured save for a slight 
cut on her neck. 

About three-quarters of a mile further 
north was the house of George Scott, stand- 
ing on the eminence northeast of the house 
where his son, the late James Scott, after- 
wards resided.'" On the stream now known 
as Gordon Creek, to the southward of Scott's 
house, was a saw-mill, and the road, instead 
of running as now, due north, turned to the 
west a little below this mill, and almost fol- 
lowed the bank of the creek to what is now 
the Milton town line. This left Scott's house 
some little distance from the road. Arrived 
at the mill a detachment of fifty men was de- 
tailed to surprise Scott. Having been a short 
time before alarmed by an attack of wolves 
upon some young stock feeding in the en- 
closure in front of his house, and hearing his 
trusty dog barking violently, he supposed the 
wolves were again at their mischief. Seizing 
his gun he went to the door in his night 
clothes, and on opening it saw the enemy ad- 
vancing along the path that led from the 
road. It was a bright moonlight night, and 
objects were easily distinguished. The party 
was commanded by one Frazer, an old ac- 
quaintance of Scott's, who before the war re- 
sided in Scotch Bush, in the south part of the 
town. Seeing Scott armed and knowing that 
his life would be forfeited should he resist, 
Frazer shouted, "Scott, throw down your gim 
or you are a dead man !" Not obeying the 
command, three Indians simultaneously threw 
their tomahawks at him, striking him on his 
head. He fell and they rushed forward to 
scalp him, but Lieutenant Frazer and one 
Staats Springstead, a German, who had prior 
to the war worked for Scott, but now acted as 
sergeant to the party, interfered, and with 
their drawn swords kept the Indians from 
farther violence. The house was plundered 
and everything of value carried away. Scott, 
however, the enemy supposing him mortally 
wounded, was left where he had fallen, welt- 
ering in his blood. 

James Scott in his description of this fear- 

"Now the home of Patrick Dohig. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



33 



fill night, says : "I slept up stairs, and my 
mother, fearing the house would be burned, 
led me down into the room. I was not much 
alarmed until I saw my father, with his face 
covered with blood. The Indians were com- 
pletely attired in their war dress, and their 
faces painted with alternate stripes of red and 
black. They collected together whatever 
plunder they could find about the house, and 
carried off everything in the shape of clothing. 
Mistaking some pewter dishes for silver, they 
took them off, and the next day they were 
found scattered along the road. Among 
the articles they took was a wig which my 
father brought from Ireland. My uncle Gor- 
don afterwards told me that whilst on their 
march he saw an Indian with a wig on, the 
wrong side foremost, which he knew was my 
father's, and concluded he was killed. I, be- 
coming frightened, took to my heels and 
concealed myself down the hill. The party, 
after remaining about half an hour, leaving 
the house almost empty, and supposing, as 
they declared, that my father would die, 
marched away. My mother missing me, and 
fearing they had carried me off, called loudly 
for me, and coming from my hiding place 
where I had lain with nothing on me but my 
shirt, I ran to her, to her great joy. My 
father had with his hands rubbed the blood 
ail over his face, which made him appear to 
have been injured worse than he actually was. 
He was then between sixty and seventy years 
of age, and ultimately recovered." 

This party again uniting with the other, 
they advanced upon the next house, that of 
George Kennedy, which stood where Silas 
Parks now lives. Kennedy was taken, and 
his house plundered and burned. His wife, 
the daughter of John Higby, succeeded in 
making her escape. She was far advanced 
in pregnancy, and alone, with no covering save 
her night clothes, she wandered through the 
dark forest until daylight, when weary and 
exhausted, having waded through three 
streams in her flight, she arrived in the morn- 
ing at Samuel IMcCrea's "clearing." Within 
two weeks after this she was delivered of her 
first-born child. Kennedy's house was the 
first one burned by orders, the other buildings 
having been fired by the Indians, the British 
officers being unable to restrain them. Now 
they had advanced so far from the fort, they 



were no longer fearful of being overtaken, 
and Munro's orders were hereafter "to plun- 
der and burn." 

Just before reaching Kennedy's, Nero, the 
negro slave of Colonel Gordon, attempted to 
escape. He suddenly broke from the ranks 
and sprang headlong down a ravine. His 
head coming in contact with a sapling rendered 
him partially unconscious and he was retaken. 
At Montreal he was sold, as were the other 
slaves captured by Munro. In a few weeks, 
Nero and Captain Benedict's negro boy, Dub- 
lin, contrived to escape. They came by the 
west shore of Lake Champlain to Ticondeioga, 
and there swam across the lake and found 
their way to Richmond, Massachusetts. 
There they remained until the close of the 
war, when they returned to Ballston and vol- 
untarily surrendered themselves to their 
former masters. 

Beyond Kennedy's was the house of Jabez 
Patchen, where Hiram Wood now lives.** 
Patchen was taken, but his son Walter, and 
his son-in-law Enos Morehouse, escaped from 
the back window and concealed themselves 
in the adjoining cornfield. On the east side 
of the road, where James Thompson's lower 
barn stands, was the dwelling of Josiah Hol- 
lister. This was burned and its owner taken 
prisoner. Where the late Judge Thompson's 
residence stands, an old man, Ebenezer 
Sprague, and his two sons, John and Elijah, 
lived. Opposite, where George B. Powell 
resides,^- dwelt Thomas Kennedy. The 
Spragues and Kennedy were taken, and the 
house of the former burned. John Kennedy, 
living opposite to the present residence of 
N^athaniel Mann, was already astir that morn- 
ing, preparing to butcher his hogs. He was 
about lighting a fire when he was startled by 
the flames from Sprague's burning dwelling. 
Surmising what it meant he extinguished his 
fire and secreted himself and wife in the ad- 
joining woods. When the enemy arrived, 
finding no one, they passed on, carrying off 
but little. On the next corner were the dwel- 
lings of Enoch and Stephen Wood. Stephen 
was fortunately absent from home, but 
Enoch and his hired man, one Fillmore, were 
taken, and their houses and a barn containing 
eight hundred bushels of wheat were burned. 

"Now the home of Lanson Wiswall. 
"Now the home of Walter Conley. 



34 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



This was the last "clearing" north bu. one, 
and that belonged to a tory. 

Just after leaving here, Fillmore, who was 
guarded by an Irishman, a regular soldier, in 
front and a young German behind him, com- 
ing to a path that branched off from the road, 
suddenly plunged into it and ran for his life. 
The German inquired of the Irishman, ".Shall 
I shoot?" The Irishman missing his prisoner 
replied, "Yes, you d — d fool !" They both 
fired at the fugitive ; one ball whizzed through 
his ear-lock. Coming to a large hemlock tree 



lies, as standing around the flaming ruins of 
their once happy homes, their thoughts fol- 
lowed their husbands and brothers into their 
weary captivity and towards their unknown 
fate. The pitiful shrieks of mourning women, 
the cries of helpless infancy, mingling with 
the smoke and crackling flames of burning 
homes, followed the trail of the despoiler as 
he retreated into the fastnesses of the North- 
ern Wilderness. 

Having crossed the Kayaderosseras, Mun- 
ro, now^ knowing that the country and garri- 




■TIIE (ilyUN, ■ KAYADEROSSERAS RIVER. BALLSTON SPA. 



that had fallen across the path he secreted 
himself in its branches and thus escaped. This 
was told to James Scott by Fillmore himself. 
Day was just dawning as they forded the 
Kayaderosseras creek, at what is now Milton 
Centre. Behind them they could trace their 
desolating march by the lurid flames of burn- 
ing homesteads that lighted up the sky with 
a fearful glare. From Gordon's north, not a 
household had been spared from pillage, and 
scarcely one head of a family had escaped the 
general capture. What a night of fearful 
alarm was that ! What terror and anxious 
foreboding brooded over those hapless fami- 



son at the Fort must have been alarmed, and 
that he would be pursued, took measures to 
prevent a rescue of the prisoners. The pris- 
oners were told ofif, and placed under the 
guard of two men each. Their hands were 
pinioned and the order given that on the first 
signal of pursuit, even the firing of a gun, 
each guard should kill his prisoner. For this 
inhuman order, justice to the British govern- 
ment requires that we should state, Munro, on 
his arrival in Montreal was court-martialed 
and cashiered. Taken in the dead of night, 
the prisoners were without adequate clothing. 
The season was severe, and barefooted and 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



35 



but partially dressed, one of them having only 
a sheet to cover his nakedness, they entered 
upon their mournful march to the northward. 
One source of alarm to the captives was that 
the Indians would fall back and cause guns 
to be fired in order that Munro's barbarous 
instructions should be carried out. An appeal 
had been made alike to their ferocity and ava- 
rice, in the form of a reward for scalps, and 
the prisoners had ample reason to fear for 
their safety in this particular. Every step of 
their weary journey they feared would be 
their last. 

Arriving at the foot of the Kayaderosseras 
Mountains they halted for breakfast. On 
their march they had driven before them all 
the cattle, sheep, and swine they could find, 
and here they slaughtered them. Mr. Scott, 
in his memoranda, says: "Several years ago 
I saw the bones of the cattle slaughtered 
there and they formed quite a sepulchre." Re- 
maining here some two hours, they resumed 
their march up the mountain by a well-defined 
Indian trail, and shortly before sunset halted 
for the night about two miles northeast of 
Lake Desolation. Here George Kennedy, 
who shortly before his capture had cut his 
foot with an axe, unable to proceed farther, 
and maddened with the pain from his wound- 
ed limb, begged Munro to kill him on the spot 
rather than compel him to go on. Anxious 
not to be delayed, Munro released him and 
Paul Pierson and Ebenezer Sprague, two old 
men who could not have borne the journey, 
and they returned home. Gordon also sent a 
message to the settlement advising them of 
Munro's murderous orders, and cautioning 
them against pursuit. 

News of this terrible event having spread 
over the settlements, the next day a party 
from Freehold (Charlton), among whom 
were Squire Patchen, Kenneth Gordon and 
Caleb Holmes, came over to the scene of deso- 
lation and started in pursuit. They followed 
the trail to the mountain, when looking up 
they saw this little party coming down the 
declivity. Imagining the enemy returning 
they concealed themselves on each side of the 
path, with orders that on a signal being given 
they should all fire on the supposed foe. Just 
as the leader of the party was about to give 
this preconcerted signal to fire, the three men 
approaching were discovered to be their old 



friends released from captivity, and they es- 
corted them home. Happy for them was it 
that they met their rescuers as they did ! For 
dogging their steps were a party of Indians, 
who learning of their release, had unobserved 
fallen back from the main body and followed 
them for the purpose of killing them and se- 
curing their scalps. They were just on the 
point of consummating their murderous pur- 
pose as they discovered their rescuers. This 
incident was told by the Indians themselves 
to the captives while on the march. Captain 
Ball with a company of men from the Fort 
also went in pursuit, but learning from the 
returning captives the danger to the prison- 
ers should a rescue be attempted, he also de- 
sisted. 

For the further particulars of this daring 
enterprise, and the fate of its victims, the 
reader is referred to the memoranda of Gen- 
eral Gordon and the narrative of his daugh- 
ter, the late Mrs. Waller. 

THE RAID OF 1781. 

Still thirsting for further gratification of 
his malice on his old friends and neighbors, 
Bettys executed another bold incursion into 
the settlement in the month of May, 1781. In 
this expedition he commanded in person. It 
was a bold and open raid, executed in full day, 
and marks the reckless daring of the man. 
Following the same route from the north as 
the expedition of the previous year, with a 
body of tories and Indians he passed down 
"Paisley street" to the south part of the town. 
His object is said to have been the capture ot 
Judge Beriah Palmer, but in this he was 
thwarted, the latter being fortunately absent 
from home. Arriving at the south end of the 
Lake the party divided. A detachment under 
Waltermeyer, a daring tory partisan from the 
German Flats in the Mohawk country, and 
whose atrocities were the terror of that region, 
went down the eastern shore. The first pris- 
oner taken by this party was John Fulmer, a 
brother of the young man who afterwards 
captured Bettys. He was at work on his 
father's farm when captured. Thence they 
proceeded north to the residence of the two 
Whig brothers, Banta, capturing them and 
pillaging their houses. They also took one 
Cassidy who lived in this region. From the 



36 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



"outlet" they crossed over to the "middle line" 
to join Bettys. 

Bettys not finding Palmer turned northward 
through the "clearings" lying west of the 
"middle line." Here he took Samuel Nash 
and Consider Chard. On the road leading 
west from the Presbyterian church, near 
where Alexander Stewart now resides, dwelt 
Uri and Ephraim Tracy. They were taken 
and their houses plundered. Here Bettys 
turned into the "middle line," and the two 
parties uniting, retreated in the face of open 
day with their prisoners and booty up that 
main highway towards the north. On the 



night with the intention of surprising it when 
all should have retired. Fortunately they 
were discovered, owing to the vigilance of 
one Ward, who was guard that night, and 
they fled from the neighborhood. Grateful 
for his escape from so imminent a peril, 
Schuyler settled a pension upon the faithful 
Ward from his own purse, which was con- 
tinued until his death. 



CAREER. 

series ot his successful crimes 
was about to close, and retributive fate was 
following fast upon the track of the hardened 



THE END OF BETTYS 

The long series of his 




SCENES ON BALLSTON LAKE. 



way they took Samuel Patchen. Stript of 
most of its leading and able-bodied men, the 
settlement was utterly unable now to offer any 
resistance to the marauders, and fleeing to 
their hiding places they left their homes to 
the mercy of the enemy. Thus these despera- 
does were able to effect their retreat in safety. 

ATTEMPTED CAPTURE OF GENERAL SCHUYLER. 

The story of Bettys' life would be incom- 
plete did we not mention one incident which 
for the boldness of its design and the hazard 
of its execution eclipses all the others. It was 
no less than an attempt to surprise and cap- 
ture General Schuyler. This daring plot was 
attempted during the campaign of 1777, and 
shortly after the tory had been pardoned by 
Washington. Learning that Schuyler was 
stopping at the mansion of the Patroon Van 
Rensselaer, at Albany, Bettys, with a party 
of tories secretly surrounded the house at 



desperado. About half a mile west of the 
hotel in the present village of Jonesville lived 
one Fulmer, who as early as 1773 had pur- 
chased one hundred and thirty acres of land 
thereabout, and settled thereon. He was fa- 
ther of John Fulmer, who was captured in the 
last tory foray and carried to Canada. Here 
Fulmer resided during the Revolution, and 
with the aid of his stout son, Jacob Fulmer, 
a lad fifteen years of age, and two buxom 
daughters, cultivated his land and instilled les- 
sons of practical courage and patriotism, by 
precept and example, into the hearts of his 
children. In March they had a "sap-bush" in 
the maple woods about a mile south of where 
they lived, and the father and his children 
were there engaged in the sweet mysteries of 
"sugaring," for it was "war time," and few 
could enjoy the luxury of foreign "sweeten- 
ing." While father Fulmer and his daugh- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF DALLSTON SPA 



37 



ters, Lydia and Elizabeth, tended the kettles, 
the brave lad Jacob was sent home to yoke 
the cattle and draw some cornstalks from a 
stack in the field to the barn, for fodder for 
the stock. He had just finished this labor and 
stepped into the house when his sisters came 
running in great haste from the "sap-bush," 
with a message from his father, to come im- 
mediately to him, as a suspicious man with a 
pack on his back, armed and carrying snow 
shoes, had just passed the bush, and he be- 
lieved him to be a tory emissary. Jacob, re- 
joiced at such an opportunity for the display 
of his courage and enterprise, hastened to the 
house of a neighboring Whig, whose two sons, 
John and James Corey, were his especial 
friends. Here he found the young men and 
another crony of his, one Francis Perkins, 
"all good and true-hearted fellows." as he 
afterwards described them. 

Requesting them to join him, which they 
did with alacrity, 'the party hastened to the 
"sap-bush." Here the father described the 
stranger, and pointed out his footsteps in the 
snow, which fortunately had fallen to the 
depth of two or three inches the previous 
night, and thus rendered it easy to track him. 
The morning was one of those moist and 
foggy ones so usual in early spring in this 
latitude, and the trail showed that the man 
was at a loss as to his course ; for it turned and 
doubled on itself several times. This enabled 
his pursuers to gain rapidly upon him. They 
followed him about a mile to the southward, 
when the trail turned to the house of one 
Hawkins, a notorious tory. Satisfied from 
this that the man was an enemy they deter- 
mined on his capture. Quietly approaching 
the house through the soft snow, they heard 
those within conversing, and suddenly rushing 
upon the doer they bursted it open and found 
their man eating, with his rifle resting on his 
shoulder, the breech on the floor between his 
legs. His first impulse was to raise his rifle 
and fire upon his pursuers, but being delayed 
by removing the deer-skin cover of his gun- 
lock, they fell upon and overpowered him be- 
fore he could carry out his fatal purpose. De- 
priving him after a severe struggle of his 
rifle, two pistols and a knife, they securely 
pinioned his arms behind him. and asking him 
his name, to which he replied, "Smith," they 
conveyed him to Fulmer's house. Arrived 



here, imagine their surprise when good 
mother Fulmer instantly recognized him, ex- 
claiming, "It is old Joe Bettys." Somewhat 
disturbed by this sudden recognition, the cap- 
tured tory hung his head and stammering, re- 
plied, "No, my name is Smith." But it was 
of no use. Young Polly Fulmer had also seen 
him before at the house of one Van Epps, 
down on the "Schenectady Patent," where 
she had been at service, and her quick eye de- 
tected the dreaded desperado through all his 
disguises. As soon as she saw the prisoner 
she exclaimed, "This is Joe Bettys." 

Astounded and delighted at this intelli- 
gence, the enterprising young men marched 
him to John Corey's house. Soon after ar- 
riving here the prisoner asked permission to 
smoke. As he stooped dov/n to light his pipe 
at the open fire-place, he was seen to throw 
something into it. John Corey immediately 
seized it, snatching off a handful of live coals 
with it. It was a small piece of sheet lead, 
doubled very thin, inside of which was found 
a strip of paper containing twenty-four fig- 
ures, and also an order on the Mayor of New 
York for thirty pounds sterling, payable on 
the delivery of the lead and paper enclosed. 
They could not decipher the figures, but Bet- 
tys, much disconcerted by their discovery of 
the paper, ofl:"ered them one hundred guineas 
to burn it. This they refused. Bettys ex- 
claimed, "that paper will take my life," and 
offered large bribes would they but destroy it, 
or release him. The recollection of the many 
wanton outrages, the cold-blooded murders, 
the burned dwellings and cruel captivities that 
could be traced to his hands, steeled their 
hearts against these appeals to their avarice 
or mercy. During that day many of their tory 
neighbors came to see Bettvs, and they were 
fearful a rescue might be attempted. About 
three o'clock in the afternoon, in order to put 
the tories on a wrong scent they informed 
them thev should take their prisoner to Sche- 
nectadv that day, and dispersing the crowd 
they prepared for their journey. The four 
armed themselves with muskets, and pinion- 
ing the captive tory's arms behind him, they 
tied another rope to that, passing it over his 
shoulders, and by this Fulmer led him. In- 
stead of going to Schenectady they struck due 
east, and at night reached the house of one 
Captain Taylor, a Whig, who lived on the 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Hudson where Mechanicville now is. Here 
they stopped for rest, and twenty or thirty of 
the neighborhood, delighted at the capture 
of the dreaded marauder, vohinteered to 
guard him during the night. The next morn- 
ing they moved down the river to Half-Moon 
Point, where they crossed to the east side. 
They had not proceeded far on this side before 
they were met by a large party of officers and 
armed gentlemen, who hearing of the capture, 
and fearful of a rescue, had come out from 
Albany to meet the brave men who had done 
such a' noble service for their country, and 
escort them and their perilous charge into the 
city. Forming around them they entered the 
capital together. The streets were crowded 
with curious and joyful people who had come 
out to see the man who had caused so much 
misery, as he was led by his gallant captors to 
his doom, Bettys remarked to Fulmer, ''The 
people gather as though King George was 
passing the streets." He was confined in the 
jail of the city, and a few days after was tried 
and condemned as a spy. The paper in cipher 
found on him proved to be a despatch from 
the British commander in Canada to Sir 
Henry Clinton, then holding New York. On 
the first of April, 1782, this bold and accom- 
plished villain paid the penalty of his perfidy 
and treason, being hung that dav on the Capi- 
tol hill. 

And here let us record to the shame of the 
American Republic the disgraceful fact that 
among the bountiful provisions she afterwards 
made for the faithful soldiers of her Army of 
Independence, these brave and incorruptible 
young men never received anything for their 
invaluable service in arresting this subtle, 
dangerous and terrible marauder. While the 
captors of Andre were rewarded by the dis- 
tinguished and well merited encomiums of 
Congress, and decorated with a special token 
of the nation's approval of their noble con- 
duct, together with a substantial bounty for 
their service; and their names and achieve- 
ments entablatured in enduring marble, 
handed down in grateful recollection to pos- 
terity, these equally heroic young men, the 
achievers of a deed of equal importance to 
their country and honor to themselves, were 
suffered to go down to an old age of poverty, 
and to sink into unnoticed and unhonored 
graves. Notwithstanding a large reward had 



been oflered for the capture of Bettys, they 
never received a penny of it, and the only 
pecuniary benefit they derived from their no- 
ble and disinterested service was the sum of 
tivcnly-live dollars, the proceeds of the sale 
of the gun and pistols of their prisoner, which 
tiiey were compelled to part with to defray 
the necessary expenses of their journey to and 
from Albany. Shame on the ingratitude of 
the Nation! Let the descendants of those 
hardy pioneers who first entered the wilder- 
ness of Saratoga county, and the children of 
those patriots who suffered so cruelly from 
the hands of the notorious Bettys see to it that 
tardy justice is done to the memory of these 
four brave men! Let monumental honors 
mark the scene of their heroic exploit. 

The capture of Bettys being made known 
to the Committee of Safety, it was determined 
to Iceep it secret for a time. Knowing the 
habits of the man it was suspected that his 
presence in this part of the country was not 
alone, and that some plot was fomenting 
among the tories which would ere long de- 
velop the appearance of other emissaries. In 
the neighborhood of Major Mitchell dwelt a 
widow, Mrs. Van Camp, who had a son in the 
British service, and who had long been sus- 
pected of concealing spies, and traitorous cor- 
respondence. The Major ordered a strict 
watch to be kept upon her premises, and 
strong suspicions being excited that some one 
was in concealment there, he commissioned 
Kenneth Gordon and one Sweetman to search 
the house. Widow \'an Camp was at first 
highly indignant that her neighbors should 
suspect her of such questionable conduct, and 
resolutely denied having any one secreted 
about the house. But just then the ominous 
clicking of gun-locks up-stairs gave contra- 
diction to the widow's assertion. Gordon gave 
the concealed party five minutes in which to 
surrender, and swore if they did not in that 
time, he would smoke them out. Fearing the 
house would be burned over them they gave 
themselves up. They turned out to be young 
Van Camp and Jonathan Miller, the latter a 
noted tory formerly of that vicinity. They 
were taken before Mitchell, and with them 
Obadiah Aliller. a brother, who lived where 
Thomas Smith'^ now does. It was clearly 

"Xow the residence of William Tuper. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



39 



shown they came with Bettys from Canada ; 
that they had been engaged in most of the 
outrages perpetrated by him upon the settle- 
ment, and that at the time they were engaged 
in planning fresh mischiefs against the patri- 
ots. They were sent to Albany and there kept 
in confinement until the close of the war. 
Thus after the capture of the arch-traitor 
Bettys was the terrible gang dispersed and 
the settlement relieved from further alarm. 

We have detailed these events with minute- 
ness, because as yet they seem to have escaped 
the eye of the historians of that period, and 
in themselves are worthy of preservation as 
honorable memorials of the trials and suffer- 
ings of our ancestors. 

GENERAL GORDON'S MEMORANDUM. 

The following is copied from a manuscript 
in the handwriting of General James Gordon. 
It is endorsed "A journal from the time I was 
taken until my arrival at Montreal." It is now 
(1858) in the possession of Hon. George G. 
Scott : 

"On Tuesday, the 17th of October, 1780, about 
one o'clock in the morning, I was taken by a party 
consisting of about two hundred men, composed of 
part of Sir John Johnson's Corps, some Rangers and 
Indians, under the command of Capt. Munro. John 
Parlow, two of my negro men and one of my 
wenches were taken at the same time. Capt. Collins 
and his wench, John Davis, Thomas Barnum, Elisha 
Benedict and his three sons Caleb, Elias and Feli.x, 
also his negro man ; Edward A. Watrous,' Paul 

Pierson and his sons John, , , John 

Higby and his son Lewis, George Kennedy, Jabez 
Patchen, Josiah Hollister, Ebenezer Sprague, Senr.. 
and his sons John and Elijah, Thomas Kennedy, 

Enoch Wood and Palmatier, were also taken 

by the party, who on leaving my house came by the 
main road out of the settlement. Isaac Stow in at- 
tempting his escape was killed. After crossing the 
Kayaderosseras, the party halted, and Capt. Munro 
desired Capt. John, of the Indians, to choose what 
prisoners he thought proper out of those who were 
taken, except myself. He accordingly chose Capt. 

Benedict and his three sons, Thomas Barnum, 

Palmatier, John Higby and his son Lewis, and Elijah 
Sprague; also my negro man Nero. John Parlow" 

'While confined in Montreal, the prisoners were 
compelled to work, and were permitted to choose 
their occupation. Mr. Watrous went to work at 
cabinet-making, and during his three years' impris- 
onment became an expert workman. After his re- 
turn to his home at the close of the war, he displayed 
his newly acquired skill as a mechanic by making 
some fine furniture for his home. 

'Parlow was a Canadian boy — a servant of 
Gordon. 



they did not consider as a prisoner, but much against 
their inclination they kept him with them all the 
way after the first night. 

"Capt. Munro permitted Ebenezer Spragfue, Paul 
Pierson and his young son, and George Kennedy to 
return home on Wednesday morning, by whom I had 
an opportunity of sending a short note to Mrs. 
Gordon. 

"Nothing material happened until our arrival at 
Crown Point on Tuesday, tlie 24th, where we joined 
Major Carlton's party — there was however a con- 
siderable scarcity of provisions amongst the white 
people on the march. On Wednesday morning we 
all embarked in boats and proceeded as far as Mill 
Bay, about eight miles down the Lake — the prisoners, 
except those with the Indians all night confined on 
a small island in the bay. 

Thursday morning the party embarked in their 
boats, and the vessels got under sail to proceed, as 
was supposed, for St. Johns, but had gone but a lit- 
tle way when they were met by an express with dis- 
patches for Major Carlton, on which the whole party 
returned to the Bay from whence they set out. Cap- 
tain Munro detained me to breakfast with him and 
some other officers. Capt. W. Frazier called and 
gave me an invitation to his place, with whom I 
dined, and on my way thither had a drink of grog 
with my old acquaintance (formerly Capt.) now 
Major James Rogers. In the afternoon I and the 
other prisoners were again sent to the desolate 
Island, and towards evening a boat came and took 
us all on board the Carlton, where we had been but 
a short time until Commodore Chambers came on 
board. Capt. Collins and I were then called up to 
the cabin, and there joined Capt. Sherwood, Lieut. 
Kane and Ensign Stevens, three other prisoners. 
The Commodore told us we were to remain in the 
cabin and fare the same as the officers belonging to 
the vessel, whilst we remained on board, provided 
we made no bad use of the indulgence allowed us. 
Captain Chipman being permitted to return home on 
his parol I had an opportunity of writing to Mrs. 
Gordon by him. 

"Oct. 27th. The Carlton got under way pretty 
early, and having a fine breeze all day, we would 
have reached the Isle Aux Noix before dark had 
we not got aground about 4 o'clock a little below 
Point * * * however, we soon got off and came 
to an anchor a few miles below the aforementioned 
Island about dark. 

"28th. A head wind. However we got within 
sight of the Island. 

"29th. The captain took all the prisoners in his 
yawl and a large batteaux down to St. Johns, where 
we were put on board the Royal George all night. 

"The next day an officer and party conducted us 
to Chambly, where we met with Col. Campbell, Col. 
Statea, Capt. Wood and two other officers, who with 
a great deal of cordiality urged us to partake of 
their small pittance and homely accommodations 
for that night. 

"The day after being the 31st, in the evening we 
reached Montreal, where we were lodged in two 
rooms," and as these were none of the largest, we 

"This was in the Recollet Convent. 



40 



CEXTEWIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



were pretty much thronged, being (together with 
those who were there before us) sixty-five souls. 

"Nov. I. About I o'clock I\Ir. Robert Ellice,' to 
whom I had wrote, came to our place of confine- 
ment, accompanied by Captain Jones, the Provost 
Martial, who informed me that through his (Mr. 
Ellice's) intercession with Brigadier General Mc- 
Lean, I was at liberty to go home with him. I re- 
mained in his house until Monday, the 6th, when I 
transported my small moveables to Monsieur Lan- 
son's, where I got a small bed-room, and boarded at 
Mr. Levy's. On Tuesday, the 14th of November, 

Mr. Ellice procured 's enlargement, who the 

same evening began to work at Mr. Levy's at making 
up cans of tobacco. 

MRS. waller's story. 

Mrs. Melinda Waller's account of the 
"Burning of Ballstown" on the i6th of Oc- 
tober, 1780. Being memoranda of a conver- 
sation with that lady by Hon. George G. Scott, 
September 10, 1846. Mrs. Waller was a 
daughter of General James Gordon : 

"The night Ballston was burned was the sixteenth 
of October, 1780, Monday. The main body first 
halted at Gordon's. Five or six went on to Collins', 
and as many more to Stow's. Mrs. Waller says : 

"I was then nearly four years old, and my father, 
mother and myself .slept in the same bed, in the room 
on the south side of the house — the room was the 
whole depth of the house with a window in the east 
and west end. That night before retiring my motner 
had entreated my father to go over to Grandfather 
Ball's and stay, and to leave her as she was not 
afraid of being injured. A hint had been conveyed 
through some friendly tory source that he was in 
danger. He refused, saying he would not be so 
cowardly as to go off and leave his wife and child. 
These were the last words he uttered before the 
enemy arrived. 

"We were awakened by the breaking of both the 
windows in the room, and looking up saw a num- 
ber of muskets with bayonets protruding into the 
room. My father arose and in his shirt went to the 
hall door, and opening it he found the hall filled with 
armed men and Indians. As he opened it a large 
Indian lifted his tomahawk and as it was descending, 
his arm was caught by Munro or Frazer, I forget 
which. My father was acquainted with both, and 
had befriended them. He was then led out of the 
door and put under guard. One Langdon had 
charge of him. 

"The Indians, male and female, both were along, 
commenced pillaging. They took every article of 
clothing they could find. My father sent word for 
his clothes, but they were already secured. He stood 
shivering in the cold, and Langdon took out of his 
knapsack a blanket coat and gave it to him. My 
mother was obliged to borrow from one of the blacks 
some articles of clothing, as she had nothing of her 

'Ellice and Gordon had been formerly connected 
in trade at Schenectady. 



own left. My father seeing Stow lay dead as he 
was marched along got permission to send back one 
of the servfants under guard, with a message to moth- 
er to go immediately to her father's, as he was 
afraid some stragglers would return. She had just 
returned from the kitchen when she found a straw 
bed on fire and a fire-brand thrust into it. She ex- 
tinguished the fire. The guard who came back with 
the message discovered "Liz," who had just returned 
from the cornfield. He exclaimed, 'You huzzy, why 
are 3'ou not along with the rest of the company?' 
Mother in reply asked him if he was so barbarous 
as to take a naked woman along. He told 'Liz' to 
find some clothes and put them on in a hurry. 'Liz' 
stepped out of the room, but did not return in time 
to go along. 

"I recollect of being in my father's arms out of 
the door in the moonlight, when he stood under the 
charge of Langdon. I recollect awakening some 
time afterwards by the side of a log heap, in com- 
pany with my mother and 'Liz,' where they had hid 
themselves. 

"When the prisoners were assorted above the 
Kayaderosseras, and Major Munro had given his 
bloody orders, they marched along in Indian file, 
each prisoner placed between two of the enemy. 
My father afterwards told me that the second man 
in front of him was Captain Collins, then a British 
soldier, then my father, and immediately behind him 
a strapping Indian, whether it was the same one who 
attempted to tomahawk him at the house I am not 
certain. My father heard the soldier in front of 
him (he was a German somewhat in years) say to 
Captain Collins, "I have been through all the wars 
in Europe and in a great many battles, but I have 
never before heard of such bloody orders as these. 
1 can kill in the heat of battle, but cannot be made 
to murder in cold blood. You need not fear me, 
for I will not obey the orders. But that Indian be- 
hind is thirsting for Gordon's blood, and the mo- 
ment a gun is fired Gordon is a dead man.' My 
father assured me, as may well be imagined, that 
he expected the tomahawk in his head every mo- 
ment during the whole day. 

"At Montreal the prisoners on the first night 
were lodged in the Recollet Convent, a very filthy 
place. The next morning my father was covered 
with vermin. James, Robert and Sanders Ellice, 
three brothers, tories, one or more of whom had 
formerly lived in Schenectady, and were Indian 
traders, and with whom my father was well ac- 
quainted, now lived in Montreal. My father the 
next morning sent for James Ellice, who bailed him 
out of prison for three thousand pounds, and he 
stayed at his house afterwards. But Ellice havmg 
at his house much company, all hostile to the Ameri- 
can cause, my father explaining to Ellice the rea- 
son, left his house and boarded with a Jew named 
Levy. Soon afterwards, for some cause which he 
could never ascertain, he was transferred to Quebec 
and confined in the 'Provo.' Here he remained 
several months in close confinement. He was fur- 
nished with books and writing materials, and wrote 
out the translation of a French work, the manuscript 
of which I now nave. He was subsequently re- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



41 



moved to the Isle of Orleans, where he found 
Judge White, the two Banta's, Enoch Wood, John 
Higby, Cassidy, and Cozzo, a Frenchman, and an- 
other person whose name I forget. He had occa- 
sionally drawn on EUice for money which was 
fully paid. He saved the most of it, which (being 
gold) was concealed about his person. On the 
island they were put upon their parol, but confined 
at night. At this they remonstrated, but to no pur- 
pose. Believing their parol was not in force during 
confinement, they escaped by night by means of a 
fisherman's boat, which they took without being 
able to compensate the owner. 

"Before reaching a settlement in Maine they had 
for several days gone without victuals. My father, 
famished and weak, gave out and lay down. The 
residue went on with an understanding that as soon 
as a settlement (which from indications they be- 
lieved to be near) should be discovered, three guns 
should be fired. Soon after he heard the guns and 
was so excited that he sprang up and fell down 
three times in succession, in his haste to get there. 
The party soon returned and conducted him to 
the settlement. With their hatchets they construct- 
ed a raft on which they floated down the river 
(Kennebec). At one time the raft came in contact 
with some obstacle, by means of which my father 
was knocked into the river and sank to the bot- 
tom, but coming up near the hind end, was assisted 
on board. At another time during his starvation 
he ate of some berries which nearly occasioned his 
death. Some of the time they subsisted on a kind 
of muscle. They finally reached Passamaquoddy 
Bay, and thence went to Boston. Peace was es- 
tablished about the time they arrived home. The 
other prisoners after peace were taken to Halifax 
and thence to Boston." 



THE GONZALEZ TR.AGEDY. 

In the spring of 1782, at Gonzalez's settle- 
ment—in the present town of Charlton, a deed 
of savage butchery was perpetrated that sent 
a thrill of horror and fear along this remote 
frontier. Joseph Gonzalez, before spoken of, 
with his eldest son, Emanuel, and his young- 
est, John, a lad about ten years old, and a 
hired laborer, were in the field building a 
fence. While engaged in the peaceful pursuit 
of their labor, they were surprised by a party 
of Tories and Indians, who undoubtedly had 
been secreted in the neighborhood some time, 
watching an opportunity to capture Gonza- 
lez, as he was known to be an ardent Whig, 
whilst most of the Scotch settlers by whom he 
was surrounded, either observed a suspicious 
neutrality, or were in secret correspondence 
with the enemy. Supposing them to be a 
party of friendly Indians known to be in the 



neighborhood, the father Gonzalez frankly ex- 
tended his hand in welcome. A powerful In- 
dian, the leader, seized it with one hand, 
grasping it with great strength, while with 
his other, in which he carried a tomahawk 
concealed behind his back, he raised his mur- 
derous weapon and cleaved the old man's skull 
in twain. 

While this bloody tragedy was enacting, 
several of the party grasped the elder son, 
with the intention of making him prisoner. 
Naturally endowed with great strength, he 
succeeded in escaping from them and ran for 
the house, which was at some distance, to pro- 
cure arms and provide for the safety of the 
family. Two fences intervened. As he leaped 
the first his pursuers fired, one ball passing 
through his hand. At the second fence they 
fired again, and with fatal effect, a ball pene- 
trating his heart, killing him instantly. 
Young John and the hired man were captured 
by the enemy. At the house were two other 
sons, David and Joseph, who, hearing the 
fray, and seeing the brutal murder of their 
father and brother, and incapable of making 
resistance to such overpowering numbers, fled 
with their mother and sister to the woods, and 
by lonely paths sought the residence of Cap- 
tain Swart, on the Mohawk. 

Who can picture the grief and horror of 
that hapless family as they flew on the wings 
of fear through those secret forest paths, with 
the bloody vision of the butchery of the ven- 
erable husband and father still red before 
them, and the death shriek of his pride and 
eldest born yet ringing in their ears; while 
their wild imaginings drew horrid views of 
the suft'erings of their youngest, the joy of 
that lonelv frontier household, as they thought 
of his probable fate, an unresisting victim, 
upon whom the enemy might then be glutting 
his wanton malice and barbarous hate. 

Reaching the friendly roof of Swart, and 
rehearsing their piteous tale to him, he hastily 
summoned his neighbors to pursue and exe- 
cute vengeance. Fearful of the surprise of 
their own homes that night, they refused to 
proceed until morning. Nothing daunted, the 
brave Swart, accompanied by David Gonza- 
lez, set forth for the scene of the fearful 
tragedy, wending their perilous way through 
the swamp and gloomy forest of what then 
and now is known as "Wolf Hollow." Sus- 



42 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY Oh BALLSTON SPA 



pecting the Indians were still at the house, 
Swart left David some distance behind and 
advanced silently and cautiously toward the 
"clearing." Hearing a noise and supposing it 
to proceed from the enemy, he crawled upon 
his hands and knees towards some object lie 
saw disturbing some bushes near the house. 
Raising his rifle he was about to fire, when 
he ascertained it was a horse which somehow 
had escaped the notice of the enemy. But 
this circumstance shows the indomitable cour- 
age of the man. Alone, and in the presence 
as he supposed of a powerful force, who had 
already shown themselves capable of the most 
savage and wanton cruelty, he did not hesitate 
to engage theni single-handed in his desperate 
desire for revenge. Finding the enemy had 
retired, he summoned David, and the two sur- 
veyed the premises. They found the bodies 
of the father and son scalped and otherwise 
mutilated in a most barbarous manner. The 
house had been plundered of its valuables, 
and the morning light revealed a scene of 
ruthless murder and pillage, where once had 
existed a peaceful and thrifty home. 

As soon as it was light the family, accom- 
panied by Swart's tardy militiamen, returned 
to their now desolate dwelling, and mourn- 
fully burying the mangled remains of their 
neighbors and kin, the Captain and his party 
started in pursuit of the enemy, to recapture 
the youngest boy and hired man. whom it was 
evident they had carried with them. For two 
weary days the pursuers followed the trail 
through the northern wilderness, when a 
heavy rain coming on they lost it, and were 
compelled to return unsuccessful. 

The enemy, after scalping and mutilating 
the dead, and plundering the dwelling, se- 
curely pinioned John and the hired man to- 
gether, and began a hurried march northward. 
It was in the early Spring, the commencement 
of warm days and cold, frosty nights. Being 
surprised while at work they were without 
adequate clothing to protect them from the 
sudden changes and inclemencies of the sea- 
son. At night, with their hands and feet pin- 
ioned, they were compelled to lie down in 
their shirt-sleeves upon the bare ground, while 
their guards lay near, wrapped in comfortable 
blankets. In the mornings, after long nights 
of freezing torture, they frequently found it 
impossible to rise owing to their hair and 



scanty clothing being frozen to the damp 
earth under them. The entrails and refuse of 
the game their captors shot along the way, 
was the only food wherewith they sustained 
their weary limbs; nor did they taste bread 
until they had nearly reached St. Johns, when 
a squaw gave them some dirty Indian cake, 
w^hich, black and hard as it was, John Gonza- 
lez to the day of his death insisted was the 
sweetest morsel that ever passed his lips. 

After a toilsome march, half famished, they 
reached St. Johns; having along their route 
been joined by other parties, who had been 
out on the same bloody service, and now re- 
turned bearing booty, prisoners, and the 
scalps of murdered victims. On entering the 
fort, young John was compelled to bear aloft 
on a pole, the blood-smeared scalps of his 
butchered father and brother, the trophies of 
this savage foray; and here the British offi- 
cials paid the bounty to the Indians for these 
bloody evidences of their barbarity, and took 
charge of the prisoners. 

The sergeant of the guard to whom John 
was consigned, in entering his name, ignorant 
of its orthography, spelled it "Consalus." 
Being young at this time, and after his long 
captivity never being united to his family, 
John became accustomed to this spelling and 
retained it. Here he was separated from the 
hired man and never again heard from him. 
The boy was held captive until the close of 
the war, and most of the time was employed 
in manufacturing cartridges to be used against 
his countrymen. He afterwards said he took 
good care that none of those he made should 
do any damage. Being released, he returned 
to his former happy home only to find it de- 
serted and his relatives scattered, he knew not 
whither. He finally settled on the place where 
his son, Emanuel Consalus now lives, and con- 
tinued to reside there until October 7th, 1823, 
when he died. 

By such acts as this was the war brought 
to the very doors of the pioneer settlers, and 
constant apprehension and fear marked their 
daily life. They redoubled their precautions 
against surprises, and kept a -more careful 
watch upon the movements of the disaffected 
in their midst. With the close of the war these 
barbarous atrocities ceased, the Gonzalez trag- 
edy being the last of the treacherous murders 
of the Tories and Indians in this region. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



43 



THE TORY, BANTA. 

On the approach of Burgoyne's army in 
the summer of 'yy, numerous evidences 
showed the existence of treasonable practices 
and conspiracies in the midst of the Balls- 
Town settlement, and prompt and decisive 
measures were instantly adopted to ferret out 
and bring to punishment the tories. The 
torch of the incendiary was oftentimes applied 
to the buildings of prominent Whigs in the 
dead of night, and the bullet, fired from the 
corner of the adjoining wood by the lurking 
assassin, frequently whistled by the laboring 
patriot as he pursued his toil. To prevent 



off large quantities of stock belonging to 
Whigs. This movement developed a wide- 
spread tory sentiment, and could only have 
been effected by a co-operating force of 
the enemy concealed in the vicinity. 
Alarmed at its boldness and secrecy, pur- 
suit was immediately made for the re- 
capture of the stock and the punishment 
of the conspirators. After following their 
trail to the immediate vicinity of Burgoyne's 
army, the pursuers returned unsuccessful, but 
determined should opportunity offer, to exe- 
cute vengeance upon their recreant neighbors. 
A constant watch was kept upon the deserted 
houses of the refugees, for the purpose of se- 




RESIDENCE BUILT BY REV. EDWARD DAVIS. ABOUT 1830, ON SITE OF 
HOME OF BERIAH PALMER. 



these murderous alarms, and avenge these 
bloody wrongs, became the first and dominant 
duty of the Committee of Public Safety. 

The first extreme measure on the part of 
the Committee was in the case of one Banta. 
a tory. This man resided on the east shore 
of Long Lake and was the only one of a large 
family who espoused the cause of the Crown, 
his two brothers being ardent and devoted pa- 
triots. The oath of allegiance had been re- 
peatedly tendered him by the Committee and 
as often evaded. He accordingly fell under 
suspicion, and his movements were carefully 
watched. About the time Burgoyne was at 
Fort Ann with his invading army, eluding 
the vigilance of his patriot neighbors, Banta 
and a number of other tories suddenly disap- 
peared from the settlement one night, driving 



curing their persons should they again return. 
At length, a short time after Burgoyne's 
surrender at Saratoga, the guard secreted 
near Banta's house, early one morning, while 
it was yet dark, was surprised by the appear- 
ance of a light in the windows. He repaired 
in all haste to the Fort near Mr. Ball's, an- 
nouncing the fact, and the members of the 
Committee were immediately summoned. 
Beriah Palmer, with a squad of men from the 
Fort, surrounded the house and demanded ad- 
mittance. Banta, for it was he, protruding 
his head from a window in the loft of tlie 
cabin, at first refused to unbar his door, and 
denied his complicity with the acts with which 
he was charged, and their right to molest him. 
Maddened by the eft'rontery of the man. Judge 
Palmer, producing his watch, gave him one 



44 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



minute in which to open his door, denouncing 
him at the same time as a traitor and thief. 
Seeing that escape was hopeless, Banta gave 
them admittance, and he was secured. 

In the early dawn of that October morning 
this patriot band, surrounding their prisoner, 
marched from the scene of the capture to the 
residence of Palmer, where the Committee had 
been hastily summoned to meet. As they 
passed through the settlement, the news of the 
capture of this disturber of their security 
aroused the yet sleeping occupants of the cab- 
ins along the route, and anxious to see merited 
justice done for his treason and robbery, the 
population followed en masse to the scene of 
his trial. Arrived at Palmer's the Committee 
formed in a circle around Banta, on the green 
by the roadside. Moody and sullen, he refused 
to explain his conduct or palliate his offence. 
His crimes were notorious. They needed no 
proof. He had openly sought the camp of the 
enemy, and as openly fought in his ranks at 
the bloody battle of Saratoga, where, over- 
taken by defeat, he had skulked back to the 
neighborhood of those whom he had so 
treacherously despoiled and betrayed, to plot, 
as they had just reason to fear, new mis- 
chief against their security, and to again abet 
their enemies should occasion offer. Then 
too, he had robbed them of their hard-earned 
property, and with his ill-gotten booty had 
made large gains by selling it for British gold. 
As these things, and the bloody memory of 



the sad fate of Jennie McCrea forced them- 
selves upon the minds of the anxious crowd 
surrounding the prisoner, loud murmurs of 
contempt and hatred arose, in which he could 
only read his doom. 

At last Judge Palmer put the question that 
was to settle his fate : "What punishment 
shall the prisoner suffer ?" One b}' one each 
member of the Committee answered his turn, 
as the question went slowly around that fatal 
circle, "Death ;" and the unflinching chairman 
confirmed their dread sentence by ordering 
his immediate execution. Forthwith long 
rails were taken from the adjacent fence by 
stalwart arms and lashed together, the doomed 
man pinioned, the rope adjusted; and as the 
morning sun rose over the eastern hills, dis- 
pelling the autumn mists that overhung the 
scene, the tory Banta swung a lifeless clod on 
this improvised gibbet. The scene of this ex- 
ecution is said to have been the roadside near 
the turn of the highway where the Rev. Ed- 
ward Davis now lives ;' the time October, 
1777, shortly after the battle of Saratoga. 

There has been some doubt thrown on this 
incident, and we can in reply only give our 
authority. The account as given to us came 
from Judiah Ellsworth, who received it from 
Seth C. Baldwin, sheriff of the county from 
1 80 1 to 1804, and its second clerk, holding 
that ofifice from 1804 to 1813. 

'The residence in late years of S. Wakeman Buel. 




CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



45 



Town of Milton 



By John C- Booth 



AT the session of the Legislature in 
1792 three new towns were or- 
ganized out of the large township 
of Balls-Town. All the territory 
lying north of the present north line of that 
township was erected into a town named 
•'Milton." 

This name, so common as a town- 
ship cognomen, and in most instances adopt- 
ed in honor of the great bard of England, 
who sang "of man's fall," in this case had 
a more indigenous and matter-of-fact origin. 
Shortly after the settlement of Balls-Town, 
Gen. Gordon, who was one of the first set- 
tlers, and a great speculator in mill privi- 
leges, had erected a mill on the Kayaderos- 
seras Creek, at Milton Centre, where the 
present mill stands, and also one on the same 
stream, afterward known as Merrick's Mills, 
at what is now Factory Village. A consid- 
erable settlement was early made in the 
neighborhood of these mills, and to distin- 
guish it from Mr. Ball's community near 
Long Lake, the early inhabitants were wont 
to call it Mill-town, which, at the official 
christening of the town was contracted into 
the more euphonious and classical appella- 
tion — "Milton." 

That part of old Balls-Town known as 
Milton was first settled about 1772-73, along 
the continuation of the "middle line" road. 
David. Wood' is said to have been the first 
settler, locating near what is now known as 
Milton Hill. George Kennedy, one of the 
three Kennedy brothers previously men- 
tioned, located on the farm next above 
George Scott. Where Hiram Wood now 
lives one Jabez Patchin and his son-in-law, 
Enos Morehouse, resided.- Near by, to the 
north, a family of Hollisters located ; and 
where the late Judge Thompson resided was 



cleared and settled by Ebenezer Spragne. 
Opposite Nathaniel Mann's present resi- 
dence John Kennedy set up his household 
gods. Enoch and Stephen Wood located on 
the land near where the Presbyterian Church 
afterwards stood, which has since been de- 




Mtddle Line Road, Milton. 

molished. Joseph Shearer came about 1775. 
and located near West Milton. Beyond this, 
northward, at the time of the war, there was 
but one more clearing,* but we have been un- 
able to obtain the name of the adventurous 
individual who had thus advanced to the out- 



'David Wood was the great-grandfather of David 
L. Wood, now a resident of Ballston Spa. 
'Now the residence of Lanson B. Wiswall. 



'Probably the "clearing" of John Bentley, who 
came here as early as 1775, and now known as the 
Bentley homestead, near the Stone church. 



40 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTOS SPA 



skirts of civilization. At this time, also, Gen. 
Gordon had erected a flouring mill on the 
Kayaderosseras at what is now Factory Vil- 
lage, which was then operated by one Mer- 
rick, and around it two or three families had 
gathered, the locality being known as "Mer- 
rick's Mills." This, with the few Scotch 
families south of what is now known as 
"Speir's Corners,"^ on "Paisley Street," was 
the extent of the settlement in i^Iilton at rhc 
time of the Revolution. 



since developed. Footpaths only marked the 
way from the settlements on the "middle line" 
and at Merrick's Mills, through the dense for- 
ests of pine and hemlock that surrounded the 
springs ; while the rude road which Sir Wil- 
liam Johnson "blazed" from Long Lalce, 
northward, was the only evidence of the 
fomier presence of civilized man in these 
parts. 

Mr. Booth's history of Milton closes at this 
point. 




ALONG THE KAYADEROSSERAS, MILTON. 



No one had yet been bold enough to estab- 
lish his habitation within the limits of the 
present village of Ballston Spa, nor its imme- 
diate vicinity. The first immigrants to this 
section were essentially an agricultural people, 
and the land adjacent to the Springs presented 
little to entice the farmer to locate there. The 
Kayaderosseras bottom, where the village now 
stands, was then a dreary hemlock swamp, and 
to the new settler offered no hope of the future 
value of the locality which the Springs and 
the valuable water power of that stream has 

•West Milton. 



Soon after the close of the Revolution, came 
Sanbun Ford from Sand Lake and settled at 
Speir's Corners. He had served throughout 
the seven years of the war, being present at 
Bunker Hill, and also at the surrender of Lord 
Cornwallis. He kept a public house for many 
years on the "middle line," near Judge Thomp- 
son's. His sons were John S., (who lived to 
an advanced age, his home being in Ballston 
Spa, and who was familiarly known as "Bony" 
Ford), Simeon, William and Amaziah. One 
of his daughters was the mother of John B. 
McLean, for many years deputy County Clerk. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



47 



N. B. Sylvester, in his history of Saratoga 
County, says: "Sanbnn Ford once captured a 
'cow-boy,' compelling his enemy to put his 
finger into the barrel of a loaded pistol and fol- 
low him into camp. In after-years he de- 
lighted to recall the scenes of the Revolution, 
and was wont on each returning Fourth of 
July to gather the old soldiers around him to 
dinner. In his last years he was an active re- 
ligious worker. He then called the Bible his 
side-arms, and carried the book in a velvet 
bag. At his request there was buried with 
him the flag, the Bible, and his commission as 
an officer of the Revolutionary army." 

Justus Jennings, another Revolutionary sol- 
dier, came at this time. His brother, Edmund, 
had settled here in 1775, and Justus settled 
about a mile north, both being near what is 
known as Hop City. 

Other settlers of this period were Elisha 
Powell, who located on the "middle line," at 
Milton Hill : Abel Whalen, who came from 
Sand Lake, and settled near Robert Speir's, 
the place in early days being known as Wha- 
len's Corners, and later as Clute's Corners. 
He had two sons, Abel and Ezekiel, the latter 
being a well-known merchant for many years. 
Joel Mann, Jonathan Morey, Henry Fillmore, 
Silas Adams, William Johnson, Benjamin 
Grenell, Joel Keeler and Henry Frink were 
also among the early settlers. 

John Lee came from Danbury, Connecticut, 
in 1793, with his wife and six children, Elias, 
Joel, William, Noah, Abigail and Ruth. He 
settled west of Rock City Falls, in the Grenell 
neighborhood. Elias and Joel purchased 
farms in Ballston, just south of the town line, 
and having married, removed to their new 
purchase. Joel Lee afterward settled in the 
village of Ballston Spa, and was for nearly 
fifty years a prominent merchant, and post- 
master for forty years. Elias Lee was the 
first pastor of the Baptist church in Ballston 
Spa. 

Many of the earliest settlers of Milton are 
mentioned in the history of the town of Ball- 
ston. 

In the Museum in the High School building 
may be seen an old tax roll of the town of Mil- 
ton for the year i8og. Joel Lee and Isaac 
Rowland were the assessors. The roll is in 
the handwriting of Joel Lee, and contains 
three hundred and fifty-three names. 



Among the leading men of the town during 
the last fifty years, who resided outside the 
village, the author recalls Robert Speir and 
John A. Clute, general merchants at Speir's 
Corners, and Clute's Corners, the two hamlets 
having the post-office name of West Milton; 
Hermon Thomas, William Wilson, Hiram 
Wood, Jonathan Whiting, Chauncey Kilmer, 
Isaac Frink, George W. Taylor, Adam Cip- 
perly, William N. Seeley, Abram Wood, 
Henry Wiswall, Nathaniel Mann, Hiram W. 
Wood, Manly James, Frederick Streever, Ja- 
cob Adams, Rensselaer Ketciiiun, Benjamin 
Hutchins, David Frisbie, Dr. Truman E. 
Parkman, Harlow Van Ostrand, William T. 
Arnold, Paul Settle, A. G. Waring and John 
A. Wakeman. 

Early settlers who occupied official positions 
in the town were: Elisha Powell, Supervisor 
in 1795-6, 1805-6-7-8, and Member of Assem- 
bly in 1818-20; Joel Keeler, Supervisor for 
seven years, and Member of Assembly in 1812 
and again in 1819; John Thompson, first 
Judge of Common Pleas in 1818; Ezekiel 
Whalen, Town Clerk from 1799 to 1808. 
Others are mentioned in the history of Balls- 
ton Spa. 

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 

To the village of Ballston Spa the greater 
part of this history is devoted. The village 
lies in the towns of Milton and Ballston, al- 
most the entire business section being in Mil- 
ton, as well as about two-thirds of the popu- 
lation. 

Bloodville is practically a part of Ballston 
Spa, although it is not within the corporate 
limits. It derives its name from Isaiah Blood, 
who built his large axe and scythe works on 
the Kayaderosseras at this point, and the ham- 
let was inhabited almost exclusively by the 
workmen in these shops. Deserving of a place 
in history is the fact that very many, if not by 
far the largest number of the residences were 
built with m.oney furnished his workmen by 
Mr. Blood. He encouraged his men to own 
their homes, and would deed the land and 
build such houses as might be desired, and al- 
low the men to pay him as they could out of 
their wages, charging a low rate of interest, 
and in many instances donating the interest, in 
case of illness or other untoward circum- 
stances. Mr. Blood was interested in the wel- 



48 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



fare of his employees, and a "strike" was 
never known for tlie nearly half century of 
his conduct of the business. 

Factory Village is a half mile north of 
Bloodville, and in early days was known as 
Merrick's Mills. Some years ago there were 
three paper mills at this place; the Chauncey 
H. Cook mill, later operated by Jones & Set- 
tle ; the mill of John McLean, and the mill of 
Bennett & Beecher. This mill and the Cook 
mill were destroyed by fire. The McLean 



mill, saw-mill, stores, hotel, and a Mission 
Chapel of Christ Church were located here. 
The tannery was destroyed by fire, and the 
business removed to Ballston Spa. A little 
later the hotel was burned; the grist-mill and 
saw-mill were abandoned, and the chapel and 
two or three houses are all that is left of the 
busy little settlement. It was at this point that 
General James Gordon built one of his grist- 
mills, soon after the Revolution. 

West Milton, five miles from Ballston 




"THE MAPLES," BLOODVILLE. HOME OF ISAIAH BLOOD NOW THE 
HOME OP HIS GRAND-SON, WM. H. KNICKERBACKER. 



mill is now owned and operated by the Na- 
tional Paper Box Manufacturing Company, 
Mr. Charles P. Rooney, manager. The Pres- 
byterian Society of Ballston Spa have a chapel 
here, in which a Sunday School is maintained, 
with occasional preaching services. The 
chapel was a gift from John McLean. There 
is also a public school. 

Ck.\neville is a little farther up the stream, 
and took its name from Lindley Murray 
Crane, who lived here for many years, and 
was proprietor of the paper mill now known 
as the Eagle Mill. 

MiLTON Centre is at the point where the 
Middle Line road crosses the Kayaderosseras. 
Twenty-five years ago this was a prosperous 
hamlet. A post-office, a large tannery, a grist- 



Spa, consists of two small hamlets on either 
side of the Kayaderosseras, locally known as 
Spier's Corners and Clute's Corners. Fifty 
years ago this was a thriving village, with its 
hotels; the Presbyterian Church; the large 
general stores of Robert Speir and John A. 
Clute; the district school; the Ladies' Semi- 
nary and Day School of Mrs. Young; saw 
and grist-mills ; carriage and harness shops ; 
shoe shops and tailoring establishments, and 
a population of about three hundred. The 
Pioneer paper mill, just beyond the village 
limits was operated by Coe S. Buchanan, and 
later by Elisha Comstock. The paper mill is 
still in existence, but most of the other busi- 
ness has gradually disappeared. The Pres- 
byterian Church, the public school, the hotel. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



49 



a saw-mill and one or two small stores remain, 
the present population being about two hun- 
dred. 

Rock City Falls, two miles farther up the 
valley, is a pretty village, with a population of 
about four hundred. It has several stores, 
two hotels, a public school, two churches— 
the Methodist and Catholic, and three paper- 
mills. The first paper-mill was built in 1840 
by Rowland & Kilmer. It stood on the site in 
later years occupied by the Excelsior Mill of 



coming a thriving village. The store of Elisha 
Powell, at one time selling more goods than 
any other country store in the county, was lo- 
cated here. There were two churches, the 
Presbyterian, and St. James' Episcopal, and a 
district school. In later years the churches 
united with those in Ballston Spa, Powell's 
store was closed, and other business enter- 
prises were attracted to the county seat and 
the villages above. George B. Powell, a son 
of Elisha Powell, was Sheriff of the coutity. 




A TROUT BROOK, MILTON. 



George West, who also built the Empire Mill. 
The mill known as the "Big Falls Mill," was 
for many years owned by the late Chauncey 
Kilmer, and was the second mill in the United 
States to manufacture paper from straw. The 
entire product of this mill was sold to the New 
York Sun until the mill was sold by Mr. Kil- 
mer to New York parties some years ago. 
Since then the mill has been used for the 
manufacturing of various kinds of paper, and 
has recently begim the manufacture of straw 
board. The two mills known as the West 
mills, are now owned and operated by the E. 
M. Brown Paper Company. 

Milton Hill, for twenty-five years suc- 
ceeding the Revolution, gave promise of be- 



Rowland's Mills, a small hamlet in the 
northeastern part of the town, was named 
from the saw and grist-mills of H. R. Row- 
land, situated on one of the branches of -he 
Kayaderosseras. There are also quite exten- 
sive quarries of blue stone at this place. 

CHURCHES. 

St. James (Episcopal) was organized by 
Rev. Ammi Rogers in 1796. The first vestry 
was James Henderson, David Roberts, war- 
dens ; Abel Whalen, William Bolt, Joel Mann, 
Hugh McGinness, William Johnston, Henry 
Whitlock, John Ashton, Thomas Shepherd, 
vestrymen. In 1845 services of the parish 
were discontinued, and the members united 
with Christ Church at Ballston Spa. 



so 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



"The Presbyterian Society of Milton, in tlic 
town of Ballston," was organized June 2, 
1791. The first trustees were William Wil- 
liamson, Ebenezer Couch, Benajah Smith, Si- 
las Adams, Stephen Wood and Esquire 
Patchin. The meeting-house was at Milton 
Hill. The society was dissolved about 1840, 
the members uniting with the churches at 
West Milton and Ballston Spa. 

The Baptist Society, known as "The Stone 
Church," was organized in 1793. A lot for 
a church site was bought in 1801, and was 



The Methodist Episcopal Church at Rock 
City Falls was instituted in 1844. The first 
trustees were Seth Whalen, Charles R. Lewis, 
Joshua Swan, James Mcintosh and Harlow 
Kilmer. The meeting-house was erected in 
1844. This house of worship was the succes- 
sor of an earlier one erected at Swan's Cor- 
ners in 181 1. 

"The Church of St. Paul, of Rock City 
Falls," Catholic, was instituted in 1874. The 
church edifice is in the upper part of the vil- 
lage, and was dedicated by Bishop McNerney 




EASTERN NEW YORK RAILROAD, MILTON. 



deeded to John Bentley, Silas Adams, Daniel 
Green; Salmon Child and Reuben Weed. The 
first meeting-house was built of wood the same 
year. In 1826 the present substantial stone 
building, one of the landmarks of the town, 
was erected on the same site. Services have 
been maintained to the present time, the pas- 
tor now, and for many years past, being the 
Rev. Asher Cook. 

The Presbyterian Church at West Milton 
was established by the Scotch emigrants who 
came to Milton and Ballston during or soon 
after the Revolution, and settled on what was 
known as Paisley street. The first meeting- 
house was located a mile and a half west of 
Speir's Corners. It was abandoned in 1840, 
and the present edifice was erected at Speir's 
Corners. The first elders were John Wilson, 
Alexander Glen, John Burns, Joseph Shearer 
and Alexander Donnan. The church has a 
fine large parsonage, and adjoining the church 
lot on the west is the village cemetery. 



in 1877, Father Havermans preaching the 
sermon. 

Spafford's Gazetteer of New York State, 
published in 1813, says: "Milton has eight 
grain-mills, fourteen saw-mills, four fulling 
mills, four carding machines, an extensive 
woolen factory, and two forges for making 
bar iron." 

Milton is one of the principal manufactur- 
ing towns of the county. The Eastern New 
York Railroad, originally known as the "Balls- 
ton Terminal Railroad," an electric road, 
runs from Ballston Spa to Middle Grove, fol- 
lowing the valley of the Kayaderosseras. The 
road handles all the freight of mills along the 
stream, running its cars to the doors of each 
mill. The road traverses a very beautiful re- 
gion. 

Additional facts relating to Milton, its 
prominent men and its numerous manufactur- 
ing industries, are given in the history of the 
village of Ballston Spa. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



61 



Village of Ballston Spa 



THE village of Ballston Spa is the 
County Seat of Saratoga County, 
and was incorporated by an 
Act of the Legislature March 21, 
1807. The village lies in the towns of Ball- 
ston and Milton, at the "great bend" of the 
Kayaderosseras river, in the "valley of the 
crooked stream." Its name is derived from 
Rev. Eliphalet Ball, one of the earliest set- 
tlers in the town of Ballston, with the addi- 
tion of "Spa" from a town in Belgium 
which was a famous watering place as early 
as the seventeenth century. High street is 
the dividing line between the towns of Mil- 
ton and Ballston, the town line running from 
east to west, about where the curbing on the 
south side of the street stands. 

THE FIRST SETTLER. 

Curious as it may seem, no mention has 
beai made of the first white man who settled 
within the present limits of the village, in 
any of the histories of this locality which 
have heretofore been published. Among those 
who came to settle in Balls-Town at the close 
of the Revolution, was Jonathan Peckham, 
from Rhode Island. He was the grand- 
father of James F. Peckham, one of Ballston's 
oldest residents,- who lives at the comer of 
Church avenue and McMaster street. Jon- 
athan Peckham purchased a tract of land in 
1783, made a "clearing," and built his log 
cabin home the same year, where the house 
of Hon. H. J. Donaldson now stands, on 
Pleasant street. In 1787 Mr. Peckham built 
the small frame house now occupied by the 
Misses O'Hare, on Church avenue, and re- 
moved from his cabin to this more preten- 
tious abode. This house is the oldest build- 
ing in the village, and its builder was the 
first inhabitant of Ballston Spa. The "log 
cabin" of Mr. Peckham was a long distance 
from the spring, with the forest and an 
almost impassable swamp between. 



THE SPRING. 

From the time of the visit of Sir William 
Johnson in 1767, parties occasionally visited 
the spring. There is no record, however, of 
any settler in the immediate vicinity until 
nearly twenty years after the discovery of 
the spring by Beriah Palmer in 1770. No 
one built near the spring any structure larger 
than a temporary log hut for a summer 
camping place. A rude trough was dug out 
of a log near by, in which the spring water 




The Peckham House, 1797. 

was used for bathing purposes ; and a gourd 
shell, hung on a tree, was the only conven- 
ience for drinking. 

The discovery of this mineral spring soon 
became noised abroad, but it was not until 
1 787 that a settlement began to grow up about 
the Spring. During this period of twenty 
years the spring was much frequented by 
traveling parties, and the early settlers of 
the vicinity. It was in the dense forest, and 
became a favorite resort for camping parties, 
not only for the benefit to be derived from 
the mineral water, but for the excellent hunt- 
ing and fishing which abounded in all this 
region. 

The late Theodore Dwight, in his book, 



II 




CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



53 



"Summer Tours, or Notes of a Traveller," 
gives an account of a visit to Ballston Spa, at 
which time he met Col. John Ball, son of Rev. 
Eliphalet Ball, from whom he received some 
interesting remininscences. Said Col. Ball : 

"At the time of my father's first coming to Balls- 
ton, the low grounds near the Springs were cov- 
ered with a forest, and the old Spring — the only 
one then known — was overflowed by the brook 
when it was much swollen by the rain. The deer 
used to come and lick at the Spring, and I have 
been there in my youth to ambush and shoot them. 
It was not uncommon then, to meet deer when 
looking for stray cattle; and the Indians often 
came from Oneida to hunt, in bodies of two or 
three hundred. No Indians, however, had their 
residence in this vicinity. My father, at an inter- 
view with Sir William Johnson, heard from him 
the particulars of the wound which he received 
at the battle of Lake Georse in 1755, which was 
in the front part of the thigh, and remained open 
until he died. I dined with him in a large marquee 
pitched on the level border of Ballston Lake. Near 
the same place was the log-cabin of the McDon- 
alds, who had settled there about seven years be- 
fore my father's arrival." 

Mr. Dwight also gives an account of a 
visit of his mother to the springs at Saratoga 
and Ballston in 1789. She graphically de- 
scribed to her son the primitive conditions 
then existing. There were but three poor log 
houses at Saratoga, which afiforded little more 
than a shelter. Mrs. Dwight says : 

"We arrived on Saturday and left there on Mon- 
daj' for Ball's Town which we reached after a 
short ride. But there the accommodations for 
visitors were still less inviting. The springs, of 
which there were several, were entirely unprotected, 
on the borders of a woody swamp and near a 
brook in which we saw bubbles rising in several 
places, which indicated other springs. There was 
a small house into which some of the water was 
conducted for bathing, but, as there was nothing 
like comfort to be foimd, we proceeded homeward, 
after spending a short time at the place." 

Mr. Booth has written most entertainingly 
of the early days in Ballston's history, and 
has very graphically described the life at the 
Springs in the olden time. His story fol- 
lows: 

VILLAGE OF BALLSTON SPA. 

by john chester booth. 
America's first watering place. 

Going back some years before the War of 
the Revolution, to a time when, as yet, tlie 
sound of the axe liad not been heard north 
of good Dominie Ball's "clearing," let us note 
the history of Ballston Spa, and the settlement 
of that "village. The principal route of com- 



munication between Albany and the north in 
those early times, was along the valley of the 
Hudson ; consequently visitors to the Springs 
— and there were many even before the war 
— took that way to reach their destination. 
As far as the old settlement of Saratoga, 
(Schuylerville), they enjoyed the advantages 
of a traveled road and settled "clearings," and 
arriving at the mouth of Fish Creek, a well- 
defined Indian trail along its banks led them 
to the Lake, and thence to the wonderful 
spring a few miles to the westward. Or, 
freighting a light canoe, an uninterrupted 
water communication bore them to within a 
few miles of their destination. This well- 
known and comparatively easy means of ac- 
cess to the localities known under the general 
designation of "The Springs," left the Balls- 
Town settlers undisturbed and indifferent in 
regard to the existence and the value of the 
peculiar waters in their neighborhood ; and in- 
deed, for some years after Sir William John- 
son's discovery, the "High Rock" fountain 
seems to have been the only one noticed by 
visitors. 

the spring. 

In the year 1771, Beriah Palmer, engaged 
with a field party in sub-dividing the great 
lots in this allotment of the Kayaderosseras 
Patent, arrived on the hill now known as 
"High street," in the village of Ballston Spa. 
The party being thirsty, and espying the creek 
— now known as Gordon creek — as it flowed 
bright and sparkling out of the dark forest 
of hemlock and pines that then covered the 
adjacent bottom lands and hillsides, into the 
sunlight of the Indian "clearing," hurried 
down to its banks to drink. While strolling 
along its margin they came upon the ancient 
Indian spring^ formerly visited by Sir Wil- 
liam Johnson. Palmer made the first rude 
attempt to secure the spring from the inroad 
of the fresh water of the adjoining creek, by 
building around it, after removing the loose 
sand and forest debris that had gathered in its 

'This was the spring afterward known as the 
"Public Well," and as the "Iron-railing Spring." It 
was situated at the west end of Front street, at the 
foot of the hill where Front intersects Charlton 
street, and about in the centre of Front street as 
now located and just west of the crosswalk. Front 
street originally turned to the northward at the rail- 
road bridge, the roadway being north of the present 
Spring. 



£4 



CENTENNIAL filSTQRy OF BALLSTON SPA 



basin, a rough enclosure of logs, cementing 
the chinks with clay found near bv.= 

This was in the summer. During the fall 
of that year the locality was again visited. 
On the south-western shore of Saratoga 
Lake, in the year 1770, a man named Bous- 
man had settled. The ne.xt year following he 
had in his employ, assisting him in clearing 
up his forest home, a half-breed Tuscarora, 
named Harry. Weary with the toilsome 
routine and laborious monotony of civilized 



mers, took their guns and came out to the 
spring, which they found as Palmer left it. 

It is said of the spring that the inhabitants 
were induced to trust to its peculiar virtues 
by the example of the deer of the forest, 
who had resorted to it in such numbers as to 
form beaten paths from every direction to 
the spot. 

VISITORS ATTRACTED. 

From the time of Palmer's visit mav be 




BALLSTON SPA IN 1815. 



the M^cVas'teTho^uJl'^^^-o'Th" V^/t'^^s^Vfon't^t'eft" al'l^the^^llkfL^^"?! ','l,°,7?l"^' '^P^h %^^ -mediately bevond it 
burned in 182:1, Mansion House, just behind the pop'ar trees st/u stInlfnV'knoin °"'.f,- ^^2" ^' ?'°'"«P,' "• C'^^k's fnn, all 
the extreme left are barns, with the gable end ofthe factlrv'bevond ^' ^ "'^ American." The buildings at 



life, and longing for the natural and untram- 
meled freedom of his ancestors, this descend- 
ant of the aborigines would frequently start 
off alone to the forest, and for weeks together 
absent himself from the haunts of the white 
man. Returning one day from one of these 
lonely and uncivilized excursions, he informed 
his employer that he had found a spring sim- 
ilar to the Saratoga water at the northward. 
The next day the Indian and young William 
Bousman, then a lad of some thirteen sum- 

'One of this party w;is Epenetiis White, Sr. He 
became a pioneer resident of the town of Ballston. 
Beriah Palmer also made his home in the new coun- 
try. 



dated the cause which induced the settlement 
of Ballston Spa. He was a man of social 
prominence and extensive acquaintance; and 
his connection as agent with the wealthy pro- 
prietors of this part of the Patent, served to 
spread a more exact knowledge of these me- 
dkinal waters in the cities of Albany and New 
York. Visitors now began to be attracted 
thither, stopping at the houses of the settlers 
three or four miles south of the springs; or, 
furnished with camp equipage, setting up 
their temporary abodes in the sylvan shades 
around the fountain. Such was the custom 
until 1787; and indeed after that, so limited 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



55 



were the accommodations, necessity compelled 
its continuance. 

■ THE HOTELS. 

In 1787 the grandfather and father of the 
Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, the distinguished 
statesman, now (1858) United States Sena- 
tor from Illinois, made the first bold move 
towards turning these waters into a source of 
profit. Heretofore the visitors had literally 
been "squatter sovereigns" of the locality,— 
leading a life of sylvan ease and independ- 
ence, untrammeled by the forms of society, or 
the rights of proprietors. Now their wild- 
wood freedom was to be invaded by a regular 
owner of the soil, and their careless camp 
life mocked by an actual hotel with regular 
fare and charges. 

The Douglases were from Stephentown. 
then in old Albany, now in Rensselaer county. 
They purchased a tract of one hundred acres 
on the west side of the creek, opposite the 
spring, and built a log house near the site of 
the present "Institute."^ Here they boldly 
flung their sign to the breeze, and under their 
auspices the business of summer entertain- 
ment of visitors at the "Springs" was launched 
on "the full tide of successful experiment." 
Benajah Douglas, for such was the grandsire's 
name, did not startle the wilderness by any 
unwonted display. His accommodations were 
of the most primitive character — only such as 
the rudest frontier log cabin could offer. 
There were but two rooms to his domicile, 
one of which was devoted to domestic mys- 
teries, while the other was generously sur- 
rendered to the use and enjoyment of the 
visitors to this famed "watering place." 
Think of it ! ye who revel amid the gorgeous 
splendors and feast upon the tempting lux- 
uries of the modern Saratoga! Such was 
the beginning of the mystery of keeping a 
"summer resort!" But then it was a simple 
forest spring, and not a Vanity Fair. 

Prosperity blessed this undertaking, and 
the next year the enterprising Benajah ex- 
tended his business, and enlarged his shelter- 
ing roof. Finding that many visitors pre- 
ferred to act as their own commissaries rather 
than trust to his larder, and determined to 
turn an honest penny even by their fastidious- 
ness, he built an addition to his hotel consist- 

'The house now known as "Brookside." 



ing of a framed building, having four rooms, 
which he rented to those who brought 
their own provisions. This certainly was a 
bold move in the right direction, and de- 
served and received substantial success. By 
this far-sighted movement, competitors were 
kept at a distance, and its proprietors for the 
next four years remained masters of the sit- 
uation. True, one Micajah Benedict, envious 
of their success, yet not daring to dispute the 
field by an open fight on the coveted ground, 
did, during the time, build a small framed 
house about a mile south of the spring, on the 
land which now forms the point made by the 
junction of the two main south roads leading 
from the village.* This point at one time 
was a favorite tarrying place with summer 
visitors, and for years this house and another 
opposite, received a large share of public pat- 
ronage. 

Such covert attempts to entice away his 
custom, only aroused the Douglas to stronger 
efiforts to maintain his supremacy ; and accord- 
ingly he erected a large house in 1792, forty 
feet by thirty, without including a kitchen, 
which brought up the rear in a masterly 
and most substantial manner. This building 
yet stands, forming a part of the "Institute. ' 
But the reign of this primitive host was 
soon to be contested by one who possessed am- 
ple means and requisite energy to successfully 
conduct the enterprise. Nicholas Low, of New 
York, son of Isaac Low, having succeeded in 
recovering a large portion of the lands form- 
erly confiscated on account of his father's loyal 
proclivities, now set himself to redeem them 
from their wild and natural state. The year 
that Douglas built his grand hotel. Low erect- 
ed another of the same dimensions close to 
the "Public Well," on the east. This was the 
house burned down a few years ago, the ruins 
of which mark the site, and known, from the 
family which latterly possessed it as the "Mc- 
Master House."^ 

THE VILL.^GE. 

Low was determined to found a town, and 
induced many people to purchase of him near 
the Spring. Among the residents at this time 
were the Tryon brothers, John, Wright and 

'Very generally known as "the V corners." 
'The McMaster House stood at the southwest 
corner of Front and Court streets. 



56 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Salmon. John Tryon owned the properly on 
the west of Ballston street, from High street 
to the Garrett road. Wright Tryon built a 
dwelling house on the hill, where Norman 
Becker now lives, opposite the cemetery." 
On the corner of what are now High street 
and Ballston street, near the residence of 
Lebbeus Booth, Esq., was a small log tavern 
built by Salmon Tryon in 1787, to which he 
added in 1790 a small framed house, consist- 
ing of two rooms for boarders, and a store — 



York, Hartford, Philadelphia, and even from 
the far off sunny South ; many visitors from 
Cuba and other West India Islands that year 
inaugurating the annual summer "hegira" to 
the North, which, formerly at Ballston and 
now at Saratoga constitutes such a marked 
feature of every season. Shortly after this 
the house of Mr. Merrill passed into the 
hands of two brothers, David and James Mc- 
Master, who built large additions and enjoyed 
an extensive and profitable patronage. 




HOTEL BUILT BY BENAJAH DOUGLAS IN 1792 L\TER THE 
AND NOW CALLED "BROOKSIDE " 



ALDRIDGE HOUSE,'' 



the first in the place — for the retail of dry 
goods and groceries, and on Front street 
about where the railroad embankment stands, 
two or three log cabins decorated the scene. 

James Merrill, a name familiar to all the 
old residents of the village, was the first land- 
lord of Low's new hotel, and in 1794 built a 
small framed house to the south of it, lor tlie 
purpose of renting it to families who preferred 
to provision themselves. That season, owing 
to the interest of Mr. Low in extending the 
fame of the water, the houses in the neighbor- 
hood were crowded with guests from. New 

'The Becker house stood just nortli of Camp- 
bell's marble works, and was taken down in April 
of this year. 



THE ALDRIDGE HOUSE. 

The Douglases now retired from the field, 
yielding the contest to other and more suc- 
cessful rivals. This house was purchased by 
Joseph Westcot, father of Reuben Westcot, 
in 1795, and upon his death it passed into the 
hands of Joshua B. Aldridge, who later mar- 
ried the widow of Mr. Westcot. Mr. Aldridge 
greatly enlarged and beautified the house and 
surrounding grounds, and made it famous 
as one of the most delightful summer resorts 
in the world. 

Ah ! many is the venerable grandsire and 
withered and palsied grand-dame scattered 
over the land, who in the hidden chambers of 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



57 



memory still preserves, fresh and green, the 
sweet experiences of those youthful summers 
at Aldridge's ; the long rambles through the 
dark and silent pines, along walks where the 
glaring eye of day could not discover, or the 
prudish moon betray the sweet exchange of 
amorous tokens, or the stolen delights of co- 
quettish mysteries. And then the dear secrets 
of those forbidden interviews in the pavilion 
on the hill, with the subdued music and 
pounds of merriment stealing up from the 
ball-room of the house below, as with clasped 
hands troth was plighted and sealed with 
burning kisses, with none to witness save the 
rising moon, or the tall poplars that then and 
now throw their lengthy shadows far across 
the deep glen beyond. Aye, many is tJie 
heart, now schooled by the weary experiences 
and trials of a long life into staid and virtuous 
submission, that ever and anon is startled 
from its propriety by these ghosts of its young 
loves flitting out of the chambers of the past. 
Cherish them kindly and fear not, for there 
are none to babble now. Years of rising 
moons have waxed and waned since that dear 
old pavilion ceased to crown the hill with its 
beauty, and the few poplars left of that old- 
timed coronal that pointed heavenward with 
its tall leafy spires, as ye made your fleeting 
vows, are fast decaying, standing bald and 
bare against the sky. A few of those grand 
old pines are there, but underneath their 
gloomy shades one hears no soft sighs of 
love to mock the solemn dirge the moaning 
wind sounds through their leafy branches. 
All is changed ; and the nymph that hallowed 
the grove of yore, has long ago departed 
from its classic shades to consecrate other 
scenes by her presence. Naught remains of 
its former charms but the memory. Even 
the house, forgetting its old uses, has out- 
lived its ancient hospitality; and the halls 
that once echoed to "the sounds of revelry 
by night," whose larder supplied luxurious 
feasts, and at whose porch the devotees of 
health and pleasure always received such a 
hearty and generous welcome, now resounds 
only to the dull routine of Latin conjuga- 
tions, and the dry details of mathematics, 
save when some hapless school-boy, fallen 
under the relentless arm of discipline, startles 
the spectres of past pleasures with his boister- 



ous grief, as the worthy Rector of the "Insti- 
tute"' enforces the maxims of Solomon. 

In i8oi Stephen H. White built the large 
hotel now (1858) standing on the "Cory 
Place," which, after extensive additions in 
1807, became a popular and leading house of 
entertainment. After his death, his widow 
conducted it for many years with great suc- 
cess. The house is now popularly called the 
"Cory Castle."^ 

BALLSTON BECOMES FAMOUS. 

Ballston was now in the hey-day of her 
prosperity. Each succeeding summer brought 
a constantly increasing number of guests, and 
wealth began to flow into the coffers of its 
citizens. The fame of its waters and hotels, 
and the beauty and healthfulness of the sur- 
rounding country attracted visitors from the 
most remote sections of the Union, and even 
from distant lands. During any season one 
could find here representatives of whatever 
was distinguished in the world of intellect, or 
prominent in social life. Here gathered the 
statesman and scholar; the gentleman of 
wealthy leisure, and the beaux and belles of 
the land. What Saratoga is to the present 
generation, its elder sister, Ballston, was to 
our fathers' time. 

Prior to 1794 the possibility of a town 
arising out of the hemlock swamp that sur- 
rounded the Spring was a presumption that 
even the most sanguine did not entertain. The 
public buildings of the county were accord- 
ingly located that year some two miles below 
it, in the older settlement on the "middle line." 
It was here if anywhere that prudent fore- 
sight could place the future centre of the shire. 
But the energy of Mr. Low had conquered 
the natural obstacles that surrounded the un- 
dertaking, and by 1800 a thriving little com- 
munity had settled in the neighborhood. An 
indomitable spirit of enterprise characterized 
its inhabitants, which under the guidance of 
Low's practical and experienced mind soon 
made the place the famous summer resort of 
the world. 

THE "sans SOUCI." 

To merit this renown every effort was made 
to adorn and beautify the village. The houses 

'The school of Dr. Babcock. 
'This house was burned in 1873. 



58 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



of entertainment, by constant enlargement and 
improvement had now become models of 
their kind; but Mr. Low determined to excel 
anything which as yet had been attempted in 
the country. Accordingly he began the erec- 
tion of the famous Sans Souci Hotel.' No 
expense was spared to make it, what for years 
after it was, the largest and most charming 
resort in the States. The plans were furnished 
by Andrew Berger, a French royalist refugee, 
and were brought from Europe by Governeur 
Morris, and in 1803 the work commenced. It 
was completed in 1804, and as its beautiful 
proportions, surpassing all previous attempts 




3 Mi(<>ilitni 
iTr'ilii""""'' 

' « I Jlllllllllil;. 



I- 



San Souci Hotel of 1804. 



in their extent and correct taste, developed 
themselves, the name of the Royal Prussian 
Summer Palace, "Sans Souci," was chosen as 
the appropriate title for this temple conse- 
crated to the pleasure of mankind. The un- 
dertaking was crowned with immense success. 
The enterprising proprietor secured the ser- 
vices of the most popular and experienced 
hosts, and the fame of the Sans Souci was a 
household word throughout the land. 

GOLDEN DAYS. 

Those were the golden days of Ballston. 
Traffic had not invaded the grand old forest 
that bordered the winding Kayaderosseras 
and crowned the '"Pinnacle" that stood senti- 
nel over the little village that clustered at its 
base. The clatter and din of the factory and 
workshop had not then affrighted the charm 
of silence and beauty that brooded over the 
stream, as with many a graceful curve it 
wound its way through the wilderness to the 
Lake. Where over foaming rifts it poured its 
unstayed current down into the valley by the 
village, the "Lover's Leap,"'" through whose 
lofty pines the wind moaned the requiem of 

"The Sans Souci was demolished in 1887. 

"A precipitous rock bluff nearly 100 feet in 
height, on the south bank of the kayaderosseras, 
nearly opposite the Pulp mill. 



the betrayed and lost, leaned its somber and 
beetling rocks far over the stream, shading 
it with a solemn and mournful grandeur, the 
Genius of Progress has long since leveled 
the forest and curbed the freedom of the 
lovely river, which now has become the pa- 
tient and plodding servant of the manufac- 
turer. 

About this time a hotel was erected where 
the railroad embankment stands, on the north 
side of Front street, and afterwards kept by 
William Clark,'' the father of Nathaniel M! 
Clark, so long the popular host of the "Village 
Hotel." Numerous small houses sprang up 
on the flat around the Spring, devoted to the 
lodging of guests from the over-crowded 
larger houses, and to the trades and recrea- 
tions usually dependent upon summer resorts. 
Season after season witnessed a constantly 
increasing patronage, and during the sum- 
mer months hotels and private houses were 
thronged to overflowing. The permanent 
residents of the village at this time had in- 
creased to about five hundred. 

VILLAGE INCORPORATED. 

March 21st, 1807, the village was incorpor- 
ated under its present name, with a oopula- 
tion ranging between six and seven hundred. 
At this time, and for years after, its medicinal 
waters and popular hotels placed it foremost 
as a summer resort, and it was only after a 
long contest, and the final failure of its then 
existing fountains, that the palm was yielded 
to its dashing rival, Saratoga. 

THE COUNTY SEAT. 

The burning of the old Court House'^ on 
the "middle line" on March 13, 1816, raised 
the question for a new location of the "county 
seat." The thrift and energy of the inhabi- 
tants around the Springs had made the village 
a prominent centre of business, and geograph- 
ically it was also about the centre of the 
county. The powerful interest of Mr. Low 
was also invoked, and after a long contest in 
the "lobby," extending through two sessions 

"This was known as Clark's Motel ; it was 
burned in 1823. 

""The first court house, which was erected two 
miles southwest from the village, was destroyed by 
fire in the night of March 23, 1816. One of the pris- 
oners perished. He was chained to the floor so 
securely that he could not be removed." — Judge 
George G. Scott. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



59 



of the Legislature, between Ballston and Sara- 
toga, the county buildings were finally located 
on a sightly lot on High street in Ballston, 
presented to the county by Mr. Low June 5th, 
1817, for that purpose. The Commissioners 
named in the Act for locating the public build- 
ings were James Merrill, of Ballston Spa ; 
Elisha Powell, of Milton ; Isaac Gere, of Gal- 
way; John Gibson, of Ballston and Gilbert 
Waring, of Milton. 

The trustees of the village appointed Hons. 
Samuel Young and James Thompson their 
counsel to present the claim for the "county 
seat" before the Legislature, and to their in- 
defatigable exertions in that behalf is owing 
the final success of the movement. They were 
afterwards remunerated by a tax on the 
village. 

April 20, 1816, the Court of Common Pleas 
met and appointed the Public School house" 
in Ballston Spa as the place for holding courts 
until the completion of the county buildings. 
The grand jury met for public business at the 
"Mansion House," the old building on Front 
street next to the railroad, then kept by Arch- 
ibald Kidd. 

The county clerk's office was erected in 
1824.'* Moses Williams, Andrew Watrous 
and Eli Barnum being the Commissioners ap- 
pointed for that purpose. 

THE SPRINGS. 

The peculiar geological formation in which 
the mineral waters that have given this re- 
gion such a marked celebrity are found, is 
known as the "Hudson River Slate." The 
range in which they are known to exist is a 
well defined valley first traceable in the city 
of Albany ; thence northwesterly to Ballston 
Spa, where it deflects to the northeast until 
it reaches Saratoga Springs, whence it fol- 
lowed a little north of east into Argyle, in the 
adjoining county of Washington. All along 
this peculiar formation the waters generally 
denominated the "acidulous carbonated" have 
been found, either appearing spontaneously 
upon the surface, the result of hidden subter- 
ranean forces, or developed by the arts of man 
searching into the hidden recesses of the earth 
for its mysteriously compounded cordials for 

"Known as The Academv, on Galway street. 
"The stone building on Front street, near the rail- 
road bridge, taken down a few years since. 



the health of humanity. It is but proper here 
to mention that the springs both at Ballston 
Spa and Saratoga Springs which have attained 
the greatest celebrity, are those which were 
forced to the surface by natural agencies. All 
the springs that have been found in this valley 
coincide in their specific gravity and the gen- 
eral chemical constituents of their waters. 

The history of the "Public Well," or 'Iron- 
Railing Spring" having been given elsewhere, 
we now note its chemical components as given 
by Dr. Meade in 1817. The temperature of 
the spring was found to be 52 degrees Fahren- 
heit. The specific gravity of one quart, when 
compared with that of distilled water was as 
T008 to 1000. The following ingredients were 
revealed by accurate tests of one quart of 
water : 

Muriat of Soda 42 grains 

Muriat of Lime 3'4 " 

Miiriat of Magnesia Ij4 " 

Carbonate of Magnesia iij^ " 

Carbonate of Lime 9^4 " 

Oxide of Iron i " 

Total 69 grains 

Carbonic Acid Gas 61 cubic inches 

Azotic 2^ " 

Total 63 V2 cubic inches 

About thirty years after the discover}^ of 
this spring, Mr. Low discovered another of 
similar character which arose in the middle 
of Gordon's Creek, about where Washing- 
ton street now crosses Bath. The creek then 
ran in the middle of the former street. In a 
spring flood which occurred shortly after this 
discovery, the course of the stream was 
changed a little farther to the north, leaving 
the spring just on the southern margin of the 
creek. Any rise in the water overflowed the 
mineral fountain. To remedy this Mr. Low 
diverted the creek into its present channel, 
and secured the spring for public use. The 
water, however, seems to have undergone 
a marked change. At its first appearance it 
is said to have been superior to the Public 
Well, but after these efl:'orts to secure it, it de- 
teriorated to such an extent that it was aban- 
doned as a drinking fountain, and afterwards 
devoted to bathing, a house having been erect- 
ed over it for that purpose. 

A singular phenomenon occurred however, 
after the course of the creek had been turned. 
In the middle of the new channel, about op- 



CO 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



jxjsite the present oil-cloth manufactory, an- 
other spring suddenly burst forth, accom- 
panied with a loud explosion, and throwing a 
considerable column of water some distance 
above the surface of the stream. This pow- 
erful discharge continued for two days, when 
the spring receded to the level of the creek. 
Strenuous exertions were made to secure this 
remarkable fountain, but they proved unsuc- 
cessful. 

Shortly after this singular freak of nature, 
Mr. Low discovered in the original bed of 
the creek, a few feet from his first spring, a 
moist spot, with gas bubbles constantly aris- 
ing and bursting on the surface. By digging 
and curbing he succeeded in securing the cel- 
ebrated spring known as "Low's Well." Of 
this well Dr. Meade in his analysis says: 
"It is constantly emitting a large quantity of 
gas which arises from the bottom of the well, 
and passing the bubbles through it, break on 
the surface. This gas proves fatal to animal 
life. Birds or fishes, if suspended over it for 
a few minutes, are immediately killed." The 
water of this spring was similar in its medic- 
inal properties to the Public Well. 

Other well-known springs were the Wash- 
ington Spring, Park Spring, and Lafayette 
Spring. 

As an evidence of the early knowledge of 
the existence of these peculiar waters at 
Ballston, Col. Humphries, a distinguished 
officer of the army of the Revolution, report- 
ed them as being great favorites of the sol- 
diers, who resorted to them during the cam- 
paign of 1777, and that owing to the above 
fact the waters were in a great measure sub- 
stituted in the place of ardent spirits, and less 
drunkenness existed during the presence of 
the troops in this neighborhood on that ac- 
count. 

Mr. Booth's history of the earliest days of 
Ballston Spa ends here. It is a vivid picture, 
painted by the hand of a master, of the 
pioneer life and early struggles of the first set- 
tlers, and of the renown which came to the 
village in the first quarter of the nineteenth 
centur)', as the most famous watering place 
in America. 



THE SPRINGS OF B.\LLSTON SP.\. 

In the early years of the nineteenth cen- 
tury, and prior to the incorporation of the 



village, the mineral springs of Ballston Spa 
had attained great renown, and with its un- 
rivalled hotel accommodations, the village 
became the "first watering place of America." 
An old Gazetteer published in 1823, says that 
its population at that time was 1,909, and that 
"this place is famous for its mineral waters, 
which are much frequented by the gay and 
fashionable during the months of July and 
August. In the summer of 1818, twenty-five 
hundred persons visited these springs, of 
whom more than twelve hundred were from 
States south of New York." 

Dr. Valentine Seaman, of New York, was 
the first to attempt an analysis of the mineral 
waters of Ballston and Saratoga. His analy- 
sis was made in 1792, and published under 
the title of "A Dissertation on the Mineral 
Waters of Saratoga — including an account of 
the waters of Ballston." A second and en- 
larged edition was published in 1809. Mr. 
Willard Lester, of Saratoga Springs, is the 
owner of one of the two or three copies of 
this book still in existence, from which we 
quote the following interesting paragraphs: 

"The Lord hath created medicines out of the 
earth, and he that is wise will not abhor them." — 
Ecc. xxxviii-4. 

"As the burning mountains of Italy command the 
astonishment of mankind, so the cold boiling springs 
of Saratoga, ought, I had almost said, to demand 
their adoration. They constantly boil up refresh- 
ing fountains, tended as it were, by Hygeia herself, 
dispensing health and happiness to all around." 

"Places, like persons, after having attained a 
certain degree of celebrity, frequently undergo a 
change in their names. Thus the modest foiintaine 
dc belle can has become the admired Foutainbleau. 
and the once obscure town of Brighthelmestone has 
become the brilliant Brighton. So also Ballstown, 
which afterwards to distinguish it from a place of 
the same name in the District of Maine, was called 
Balltown, has finally, in seeming subserviency to 
the ton of the times, assumed the more fashionable 
title of Ballston." 

"Every local consideration, beside the highly 
medicinal virtues of tlie waters themselves, tends 
to render these Springs equal, if not superior as a 
place of general resort, to any of the most dis- 
tinguished watering places in Europe. The sports- 
man here need never languish for want of employ- 
ment; should fishing be his favorite amusement, 
he has the lakes and rivers at his command ; if he 
delights in his gun, here are not wanting objects 
whereupon to try his skill. To those who are fond 
of riding and of enjoying the sublime and varied 
scenery of nature, no country is better calculated 
than this to gratify their taste. When to all this, 
we add the extraordinary accommodations and en- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



61 



tertainment furnished at Ballston, equalling the 
most unbounded wish, we cannot be surprised that 
these, like most other celebrated medicated springs, 
from having at first been the refuge of suffering 
humanity, should become the seat and empire of 
luxury and dissipation, the rallying point of parties 
of pleasure." 

"While the superior accommodation fixes upon 
Ballston as the place of dwelling, the Springs of 
Saratoga will command frequent visits." 

"I am told that during the Revolutionary War, 
while the troops lay at Saratoga, many of them 
were affected with the itch, and were sent off in 
companies to these Springs, by which they were 
all cured." 

"The mode of passing the time, it is true, may 
chill the mace and paralyze the balls of the billiard 
board, but it will warm the heart, and promote the 
healthy movement of its blood ; it may diminish the 
demand for cards, but it will enhance the value of 
life. Let us then be upon the alert, and by well di- 
rected exertions repel the approaches of disease and 
keep clear from the favours of the Faculty: it is 
assuredly 

'Better to hunt the fields for health unbought 

Than fee the Doctor for a nauseous draught'." 

In 1817, twenty years after Dr. Seaman 
had written of the Springs, William Meade, 
M. D., of Philadelphia, in his book on the 
mineral waters of Ballston and Saratoga, says : 
"At this period there are few places in any 
country where the invalid, or the man of leis- 
ure, can be more agreeably accommodated 
than at Ballston and Saratoga. In this, Balls- 
ton certainly first took the lead, principally 
owing to the spirited exertions of a wealthy 
proprietor (Nicholas Low) who has spared no 
expense in erecting a building at once spa- 
cious and commodious; and this, with several 
other hotels equally respectable, has estab- 
lished Ballston as a watering place of the most 
fashionable resort in the United States." 

The original Spring, which has been fully 
described by Mr. Booth, was about fifty feet 
south of the present Iron Spring, in the cen- 
ter of Front street, at its intersection with 
Charlton street, and a little west of the cross- 
walk. This spring came to be known as the 
"Public Well." At first it was confined in a 
common barrel. About the year 1800 the 
water was secured in a metal pipe eighteen 
inches in diameter, which was surrounded 
with an ornamental iron railing, with four 
gates, and a marble floor. It then received 
the appellation of '"the iron-railing spring." 

In the year 1803. while the Sans Souci was 
being erected, Mr. Low discovered a spring 
a short distance from the north-west corner 



of the hotel premises, which became widely 
known as Low's Well, and was the most popu- 
lar of all the Ballston springs. This was one 
of the group of springs known as the Sans 
Souci Springs. The other springs composing 
the group were the Sans Souci, directly in the 
rear of the hotel," a Sulphur spring near by; 
Park Spring in the rear of Medbery's Hotel, 
and New Spring, which was found under the 
easterly part of the bath-houses. 

That part of the village on the north side of 
Washington street, and west of Bath street, 
was known as the Public Park, and about 1807 
several other springs were discovered in the 
Park. These springs were similar in medici- 
nal properties to those previously discovered, 
and never received much attention, and no 
record of them has been preserved. 

The United States Spring was near the 
northeast corner of Bath and Washington 
streets, and with the group of Sans Souci 
springs was connected with the bath houses, 
which were on the north side of Washington 
street, east of Bath street. The bath houses 
were owned by James Jack. 

During the latter part of the summer of 
1817, continued rains had so swollen Gordon 
creek that it burst its usual bounds, and in- 
some places formed a new channel. On the 
subsiding of the flood, a new spring of splen- 
did medicinal qualities was discovered. It 
was located in front of the factory (now the 
Tannery), near the creek. There was an im- 
mense flow of water, and when it was confined' 
in a tube, "the water arose about five feet 
above the level of the brook, and was then> 
suffered to fall over its sides in the form of 
a jet d'eati, furnishing a fine opportunity for 
inspecting its sparkling qualities to the great- 
est advantage." This fountain continued to 
flow for about two years, the wonder and ad- 
miration of all who saw it and drank of its 
waters. At length, however, the abundant 
carbonic acid gas seemed to be exhausted, 
and all attempts to reclaim the Spring were 
fruitless. This was called the Washington 
Spring. 

In 1824 another Spring was discovered 
about one hundred feet south of the Iron- 
Railing Spring, and was first named the New 
Washington Spring. The name was changed 
to Lafayette Spring, in honor of the Marquis 
(General) de Lafayette, who made his last 



62 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY Of BALLSTON SPA 



Visit to the United States, arriving in tliis 
country soon after the discovery of the Spring. 
It survived all the other springs of early days, 
common usage causing it to be called the Old 
Iron Spring, and continued its abundant flow 
until in the '70's, when the boring of the pres- 
ent Iron Spring at the west end of Front 
Street, evidently tapped the same mineral 
vein, and the "Old Spring," which had been 
for lialf a century a favorite resort for all our 
citizens was exhausted, and gave place to the 
present spring, whose medicinal properties arc 
almost identical with those of the "Old 
Spring." 

QUALITIES OF " THE SPRINGS." 

Writing from Yale College, New Haven, 
under date of April 27, 1824, Benjamin Silli- 
man, the eminent professor of chemistry in 
that institution, gives the following interest- 
ing description of the springs : 

"Dear Sir: You request my opinion of the min 
eral waters at Ballston Spa. They are in my view, 
very valuable, and I can discern no serious reason 
why public opinion should be less favorable to them 
now than formerly. I became acquainted with the 
old spring, near Mr. Aldridge's in consequence of 
using its waters uninterruptedly at the fountain 
head, for a month, in the autumn of 1797; and a 
residence for the same length of time at Ballston 
Spa, during the last summer, gave me an opportunity 
of renewing my acquaintance with the Old Spring, 
and of becoming familiar also with those more re- 
cently discovered fountains, which have been opened 
and brought into use. The old spring appears sub- 
stantially as it did in 1797. and is, I suppose, sur- 
passed by no mineral fountain in the world as a 
brisk, copious, slightly saline, and strong chalybeate. 
The principal spring under the bath house, while it 
is also a brisk chalybeate, is, besides in a high de- 
gree saline, and is probably unrivalled as a natural 
combination of this class. Its cathartic properties 
are strong and its tonic powers equally so. There 
is no spring either at Ballston Spa or Saratoga 
Springs which I should prefer to this. I speak of 
my own experience — for some persons, a brisk ca- 
thartic water, scarcely chalybeate at all, like the 
Congress spring, may be preferable. The Congress 
spring is also, so far as I am informed, without a 
rival in its class — but it is scarcely proper to call 
it a chalybeate, as it is only so in a slight degree. 
There is no reason why the establishments at Sara- 
toga Springs and Ballston Spa should regard each 
Other with an unfriendly feeling. The accommoda- 
tions of both are too good to need praise from me, 
and the bounty of the Creator has poured forth these 
fountains of health, in the great valley (for I regard 
the springs of Ballston Spa and Saratoga as parts 
of one great system) with a profuse benevolence 
unknown in any other country. Nothing can ex- 
ceed the variety, copiousness and excellence of the 



springs at Saratoga — but those of Ballston Spa are 
in no respect except that of number and variety in- 
ferior to them, and I trust the day is not distant 
when a truly liberal feeling, will in both villages, 
lead to mutual commendation, and an amicable 
rivalry in efforts to please and to accommodate their 
guests ; and the salutary effect will then, I am per- 
suaded, soon be visible, in the increased number of 
visitors from every part of this great continent ; a 
number more than sufficient to fill both villages, and 
fully reward the spirited and liberal proprietors of 
their respective public establishments. With the 
best wishes for the prosperity of both places, I re- 
main 

"Your Obt. Servt., 

B. SlLLIM.\N." 

From the tone of this letter it is quite evi- 
dent that a bitter rivalry had sprung up be- 
tween the villages for supremacy as a summer 
resort, and that some representations had been 
made in regard to the springs at Ballston 
Spa which were not strictly true. The letter 
is a model one, for while it speaks in highest 
praise of the Ballston springs, it also gives 
merited commendation to the fountains at 
Saratoga, and counsels the cultivation of more 
amicable relations between the villages. 



BALLSTON'S LATER SPRINGS. 

THE GLEN SPRING. 

In the month of April, 1861, Mr. George 
W. Chapman noticed a strong "bubbling," 
with an odor of gas, in the Kayaderosseras, 
just below the dam of the woolen mill (now 
the Pulp mill) in "The Glen." He drilled 
through the rock to a depth of about seventy- 
five feet, when he struck a vein of mineral 
water which rose to the surface and spouted 
several feet into the air. The water was 
strongly impregnated with carbonic acid gas, 
most agreeable to the taste, and was pro- 
nounced by experts equal to the best of the 
Saratoga waters. It somewhat resembled the 
Geyser water. Mr. Chapman tubed the spring, 
and created a small island about it, which was 
reached by a light bridge. This spring be- 
came a great favorite, especially with the 
young people. It was located in a lovely spot, 
deep in "The Glen," and just beyond the 
"Lovers' Leap." The walk to the spring was 
along the high southern bank of the Kayader- 
osseras, but the most popular route was by 
boat up the Kayaderosseras. Benjamin Os- 
good, an old sailor, built a large boat that 
would accommodate about twenty people, 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



63 



which he propelled with one large oar from 
the stern, the round trip occupying a half 
hour. Osgood, a little later on, became more 
familiarly known as "Beauregard," from his 
well-known Southern proclivities, which fre- 
quently engaged him in heated and not al- 
ways harmless argument. The interest in the 
"Chapman Spring" abated after two or three 
summers; the bridge floated off during high 
water, and as a "fountain of health" and a 
favorite trysting place it has become only a 
memory. 

ARTESIAN LITHIA SPRING. 

In the month of April, 1865, no little excite- 
ment was created by the reported discovery 
of petroleum in Ballston Spa. A ditch' was 
being dug in the rear of their tannery on Sar- 
atoga avenue, by the Parent brothers, when 
the workmen on returning to their labor one 
morning, discovered an oily substance in the 
bottom of the excavation. They informed 
their employers, and in a few days reported 
tests of the "crude oil" taken from the ditch 
declared it to be superior to that of the Penn- 
sylvania oil region. Excitement ran high. 
Land in various localities was leased and a 
large number of derricks erected, while pub- 
lic expectation centred upon the boring op- 
erations at the tannery. Oil prospectors and 
experts from Pennsylvania and elsewhere 
were numerous and enthusiastic over the new 
Oildorado. The Parents sold their tannery 
for $60,000, and not long afterward the drill 
stuck fast in the bore. Efforts to recover it 
were futile, and a new boring was begun on 
the bank of the spill-way from the lower Blue 
Mill pond. 

Just at this time, in the month of June, a 
"burning spring" was discovered in the grove 
of John S. ("Bony") Ford, on Malta avenue, 
a little southwest of the present High School 
building. A blast opened the rock, and when 
Mr. Ford discovered a strong current of gas 
issuing from the opening, he turned a barrel 
over the spot, and connected this extemporized 
gasometer with a large lantern in which was 
a good sized gas burner. The gas burned 
freely and gave a beautiful light. It was left 
burning for several weeks, and it was pro- 
posed to light the village with this natural 
gas, but no definite action was taken. 

The "burning spring" only added to the 



prevailing excitement, and the boring for oil 
was vigorously prosecuted. The drilling was 
in charge of Simon B. Conde and James Den- 
ton, who had spent some time in the Pennsyl- 
vania oil district. On March 31, 1866, when 
the drill reached a depth of five hundred and 
fifty feet, Mr. Conde was startled by a loud 
rumbling from the bore, and ran hastily from 
the spot. In a moment the drill and the iron 
rod to which it was attached, some thirty feet 
in length, and weighing several hundred 
pounds, shot out of the bore to a height of 
twenty feet, followed by a solid column of 
water four inches in diameter, which sprang 
fifty feet into the air. The spouting contin- 
ued for about two hours, until the gas had 
spent its force, and was repeated every third 
day, until the spring was tubed. This novel 
sight attracted hundreds of visitors, many 
from a distance. The water, as shown by the 
analysis, was much stronger than the Sara- 
toga waters, and of very great medicinal value. 
It was named the "Artesian Lithia Spring," 
and is located on Saratoga avenue. 

The following is the analysis of one gallon 
of the water: 

GRAINS. 

Chloride of sodium 750.030 

Chloride of potassium 33.276 

Bromide of sodium 3.643 

Iodide of sodium 0.124 

Fluoride of calcium a trace 

Bicarbonate of lithia 7-750 

Bicarbonate of soda 11.928 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 180.602 

Bicarbonate of lime 238.156 

Bicarbonate of strontia 0.867 

Bicarbonate of baryta 3.881 

Bicarbonate of iron 1 . 581 

Sulphate of potassa 0.520 

Phosphate of soda 0.050 

Biborate of soda a trace 

Alumina 0.077 

Silica 0.761 

Organic matter a trace 

Total 1,233.246 

Carbonic acid gas 426.114 cubic in. 

Density 10159 " 

Temperature 52 deg. F. 

HIDE-FRANKLIN SPRING. 

In July, 1853, it was claimed that a new 
spring had been discovered through the agency 
of modern spiritualism. Dr. Barron, a phy- 
sician from Massachusetts, and a firm believer 
in spiritualism, appeared in Ballston, and said 



«4 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



he "was directed by the spirits to come to 
Ballston and purchase a certain piece of 
ground south of the Red Mill, on which would 
be found a mineral fountain whose waters 
would be 'for the healing of the nations.' " 
The ground was bought for $i,ooo, and the 
search for the spring went on for some months 
without success, when Dr. Barron departed, a 
poorer if not a wiser man. 

It is a trite saying that "history repeats 
itself." In 1868 the "Spiritualist Society" 
was quite strong and on the increase in the 
village. In former years and during the sum- 
mer of 1868, Samuel Hides, a man of con- 
siderable wealth, living on Malta avenue, on 
more than one occasion at "seances," had com- 
munications through a "medium" from Ben- 
jamin Franklin. The spirit of "Good Old 
Ben" told Hides that by boring at a particular 
spot on his farm he would "find a spring of 
remarkable medicinal value which would be 
'for the healing of the nations'." With 
strong faith in the superior knowledge of 
"Good Old Ben," Hides began operations, 
Conde and Denton handling the drills. Frank- 
lin was possessed of greater knowledge as to 
the location of these great reservoirs of life- 
giving waters, than his Massachusetts brother- 
spirit, and in April, 1869, after drilling 
through earth and rock to a depth of seven 
hundred and fifteen feet, the water came 
rushing up with great velocity, and was 
thrown into the air more than fifty feet. 

The analysis follows: 

GRAINS. 

Chloride of sodium 659.344 

Chloride of potassium 33.930 

Bromide of sodium 4665 

Iodide of sodium .235 

Fhioride of calcium a trace 

Bicarbonate of lithia 6.777 

Bicarbonate of soda 94.604 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 177.868 

Bicarbonate of lime 202.232 

Bicarbonate of strontia .002 

Bicarbonate of baryta 1.231 

Bicarbonate of iron 1.609 

Sulphate of potassa .762 

Phosphate of soda .oil 

Biborate of soda a trace 

Alumina .263 

Silica .735 

Organic matter a trace 

Total 1184.368 

Carbonic acid gas 460.066 cubic in. 

Density 1. 0115 " 

Temperature 52 deg. F. 



WASHINGTON LITHIA WELL. 

This spring is situated at the west end of 
Van Buren street, close to the railroad em- 
bankment. It was discovered in the autumn 
of 1868, after boring to a depth of six hundred 
and twelve feet. The spring is not open to 
the public. The following is the analysis of 
the water: 

GRAINS. 

Chloride of sodium 645.481 

Chloride of potassium 9232 

Bromide of sodium 2.368 

Iodide of sodium .925 

Fluoride of calcium a trace 

Bicarbonate of lithia 10.514 

Bicarbonate of soda 34.400 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 158.348 

Bicarbonate of lime 178.484 

Bicarbonate of strontia .189 

Bicarbonate of baryta 4-739 

Bicarbonate of iron 2.296 

Sulphate of potassa none 

Phosphate of soda .003 

Biborate of soda a trace 

Alumina . 595 

Silica 1.026 

Organic matter a trace 

Total 1047.700 

Carbonic acid gas 338.34s cubic in. 

Density 1. 010 " 

Temperature 49 deg. F. 

SANS SOUCI SPRING. 

In 1870, Mr. George Smith, proprietor of 
the Sans Souci, decided to drill for mineral 
water. Familiar with the history of "Low's 
Well," and the "Sans Souci Spring" of early 
days, he selected the spot he desired in the 
court of the hotel, directly on a line with the 
central hall. Mr. Button, of Lansingburgh, 
was employed to do the drilling. When the 
drill reached the water at a depth of six hun- 
dred and ninety feet, the wonderful spouting 
phenomena of the "Artesian" and "Franklin" 
springs was reproduced at the "Sans Souci." 
The grand spouting was witnessed by a large 
crowd, which had been called together by the 
whistle of the engine. The analysis follows: 

GRAINS. 

Chloride of sodium 572.306 

Chloride of potassium 5.860 

Bromide of sodium 1.055 

Iodide of sodium .620 

Bicarbonate of soda 4.757 

Bicarbonate of lithia II-793 

Phosphate of lime 193. 179 

Bicarbonate of magnesia 181. 106 

Bicarbonate of iron 9-239 

Alumina a trace 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



65 



Silica 1 . 140 

Bicarbonate of baryta 1 . 790 

Bicarbonate of strontia a trace 

Chloride of rubidium a trace 

Total 986.345 

Carbonic acid gas 538. 074 cubic in. 

Density 1. 015 

Temperature 50 deg. F. 

THE IRON SPRING 

Is owned by the village, and is free to the 
public. It is located at the west end of Front 
street, about fifty feet north of Ballston's first 
Spring. It is an artesian well, six hundred 




1 he Iron Spring, H*u7. 

and forty-seven feet in depth, and was drilled 
in 1874. It is quite similar in its mineral qual- 
ities to the original spring. 

THE WEST SPRING. 

In boring for fresh water about ten years 
ago, the late Hon. George West, struck a vein 
of splendid mineral water at great depth. For 
a few years this spring was opened to the 
public at stated times, but at present is closed. 
It is located near the bag factory. 

While the springs which first gave Ballston 
Spa its great renown as a summer resort have 
disappeared, and the neighboring village of 
Saratoga Springs has become the most fa- 
mous watering place in the world, Ballston 
Spa has to-day within its corporate limits six 
medicinal springs that are not surpassed by 
any in the United States or Europe. 



SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 

The following account of the visit of Sir 
William Johnson to the spring at Ballston Spa 
is from Mr. Booth's unpublished history. The 
published histories of Saratoga County do 
not mention this visit of Sir William to the 
original spring at Ballston Spa, but speak 
only of his visit to the High Rock Spring at 
Saratoga. There is little doubt that the 
spring at Ballston Spa was the one recom- 
mended by the Indian medicine men, and that 
while tarrying here he was first informed of 
the spring at Saratoga, which he afterward 
visited.' 

Mr. Booth writes : 

In 1767, Sir William Johnson, the Lord of 
"Johnson Hall," in the Mohawk country, be- 
ing afflicted with that inevitable accompani- 
ment of the English Baronetcy of the olden 
time — the gout, was advised by his Indian 
medicine men to test the efficacy of certain 
mineral waters in these parts. Setting forth 
from his home among the Indians, he was 
borne by slow stages to Schenectady, fol- 
lowed by a large retinue of attendants, and 
what honest Bailie Jarvie would have called 
"a lang tail" of Mohawks. Arriving in Sche- 
nectady early in August, this first pilgrim to 
the modern Bethesda found there was no road 
farther northward than "McDonald's clear- 
mg," and his gouty limbs compelling him to 
travel by litter, or wagon, he sent forward a 
party, which under the guidance of Michael 
McDonald completed the road from Long 
Lake to the Spring. This was the first road 
opened in this part of the country, and, with 
but trifling changes in its course, has re- 
mained the principal highway from Ballston 
Spa to Schenectady. 

The road reported complete, towards the 
end of August, the gouty old baronet resumed 
his pilgrimage in search of health. We can 
imagine that first party of visitants dragging 
its slow length along. Now toiling through 
deep mires, which to it must have seemed 
veritable "sloughs of despond ;" now jolting 

'Jeptha R. Simms in his "Frontiersmen of New 
York" says : "I had supposed this visit of the Bar- 
onet was to Ballston instead of Saratoga, because 
many of the white settlers as well as the Indians 
had discovered the medical properties of those 'heal- 
ing waters.' Mr. Stone speaks of his going to the 
High Rock Spring at Saratoga, though on what au- 
thority is not shown." 



60 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLS TON SPA 



over felled timber; with the testy lord of the 
Mohawk groaning an accompaniment of 
curses, both loud and deep, first on his swelled 
and swaddled legs, then on his attendants, and 
more than all upon the wretched road. Slow- 
ly, wearily and painfully they toiled on, over 
a route along which a few years later the fly- 
ing coach, laden with its freight of devotees 
of health and pleasure, rolled swiftly by 
toward the same goal, which had then become 
the fashionable summer resort of the world. 

In sight of and parallel with it the snorting 
locomotive, waking the echoes of the remnants 
of those old forests, now whirls over its iron 
course its yearly quota of tens of thousands 
anxious pilgrims to the modern Mecca of 
Pleasure and Mammon that has arisen from 
the wilderness of the Kayaderosseras. 

Little did the swearing old baronet know 
on what a wild chase he was leading the 
world, or what a motley horde he was pio- 
neering through this then terra incognita. At 
night-fall of the first day, after a weary 
march, they reached McDonald's. They had 
advanced just ten miles. Passing the night 
here, on the morrow they pursued their jour- 
ney over Sir William's new road, and although 
the remaining distance did not exceed five 
miles, our pilgrims did not reach their pro- 
posed camping ground near the spring, until 
towards evening of that day. Such were the 
difficulties attendant upon this first excursion 
from Schenectady to "The Springs." 

The party encamped on the flat, across the 
creek, and directly opposite the original 
spring, known as the "Public Well," or "Iron- 
Railing Spring," in the village of Ballston 
Spa. This was the ancient Indian camping 
ground, and a considerable "clearing" had 
been made here by them. The Spring as 
Johnson first saw it, bubbled out from the 
base of a slaty ledge on the east bank of the 
creek, since known as Gordon creek, the wa- 
ters of which almost overflowed the Spring. 
This stream years afterwards was diverted 
from its original course by a canal, thus 
changing materially the natural features of the 
locality. 

While stopping here he was advised by his 
Indian attendants of the existence of other 
springs of medicinal water still farther to the 
northward. Causing the country to be ex- 
plored, the celebrated "High Rock" spring at 



Saratoga was discovered; and having a road 
opened along the Kayaderosseras to Baker's 
bridge, and thence north to the Spring, Sir 
William, as soon as his health permitted, re- 
moved his camp thither. This was the first 
authenticated visit of a white man to the fa- 
mous fountains of Saratoga. The Springs of 
Ballston were known to exist, and had been 
visited by the McDonalds prior to Johnson's 
expedition, and one of the brothers acted as 
his guide on that occasion. The Baronet, in 
alluding to these springs, said : "In tracing 
the history of these medicinal springs, I could 
only learn that an Indian chief discovered 
them to a sick French officer in the early part 
of their war with the English. But whether 
they were these very springs in this bason, or 
those at ten miles distance, properly called 
Saratoga Springs, I know not." 

So impressed was Johnson with the benefi- 
cent effects of these mineral waters that 
through his exertion the spring was reserved 
for public use in the grants of the surround- 
ing land. Ever after the fountain was known 
as "the Public Well." 

Johnson returned from the Springs at the 
close of the season much improved in health, 
making most of the journey to Schenectady 
on foot, as preferable to enduring the jolting 
over the rude forest road he had opened. The 
visit and cure of so distinguished a person 
was calculated to spread the reputation of the 
waters. From the settlements along the Hud- 
son and Mohawk, parties sought them for 
health, or to gratify their curiosity; and the 
sick, the halt, or the curious, following the 
lonely trails through the gloomy forests, com- 
menced the pilgrimage to these health-giving 
fountains that time has since ripened into a 
social institution of peculiar and imposing 
magnitude. 



WASHINGTON VISITS THE SPRING. 

Notable as was the visit of Sir William 
Johnson in 1767, it hardly surpasses in inter- 
est the later visit of General Washington in 
1783. While at his Headquarters in New- 
burg, awaiting the arrival of the treaty of 
peace, Washington decided to visit the scene 
of Burgoyne's surrender at Schuylerville, and 
other points of interest in Northern New 
York. Governor George Clinton, Alexander 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTOK SPA 



67 



Hamilton and two members of his staff, Colo- 
nels Humplirey and Fish, accompanied him. 
Irving, in his life of Washington, says : 

"Washington now (1783) found his position at 
Headquarters irksome ; there was Httle to do, and 
he was likely to be incessantly teased with applica- 
tions and demands, which he had neither the means 
nor power to satisfy. He resolved, therefore, to 
while away part of the time that must intervene be- 
fore the arrival of the definitive treaty by making a 
tour to the northern and western parts of the State, 
and visiting the places which had been the theatre 
of important military transactions. He had another 
object in view; he desired to facilitate, as far as 
in his power, the operations which would be neces- 
sary for occupying, as soon as evacuated by British 
troops, the posts ceded by the Treaty of Peace. 

"Governor Clinton accompanied him on the ex- 
pedition. They set out by water from Newburg, 
ascended the Hudson to Albany, visited Saratoga 
and the scene of Burgoyne's surrender; embarked 
on Lake George, where light boats had been pro- 
vided for them ;• traversed that beautiful lake, so 
full of historic interest; proceeded to Ticonderoga 
and Crown Point; and, after reconnoitering those 
eventful posts, returned to Schenectady." 

On their return route, the party visited the 
High Rock Spring at Saratoga. Col. William 
L. Stone, in his "Reminiscences of Saratoga 
and Ballston," tells of Washington's visit to 
Ballston. He says: 

"They left (Saratoga) on horseback for Schenec- 
tady, with the intention of visiting on their route 
the newly-discovered spring at Ballston Spa, after- 
wards known as 'the "Iron-Railing Spring.'^and of 
dining with General Gordon, who, at that time lived 
upon the 'middle line road.' 

"On their route through the woods between the 
two Springs, they struck the path leading west by 
Merrick's Mills (now Factory Village) to the 
Middle Line Road, and continued west toward 
that road, thus losing their way. Near Merrick's 
lived one 'Tom' Conner, who was chopping wood 
at his cabin door. They inquired of him the way 
to the Spring, and 'Tom' gave the requisite direc- 
tions. The party accordingly retraced their steps 
a short distance upon the road by which they had 
come, but soon becoming bewildered, rode back for 
more explicit directions. 'Tom' had, by this time, 
lost his temper, and peevishly cried out to the 
spokesman of the party — who happened to be Wash- 
ington — •'! tell you, turn back and take the first 
right-hand path into the woods, and then stick to 
it — any darned fool would know the way.' When 
'Tom' afterwards learned that he had addressed 
Washington himself in this unceremonious man- 
ner, he was extremely chagrined and mortified. His 
neighbors, for a long time afterwards, tormented 
poor 'Tom' on his 'reception of General Wash- 
ington.' 

"The party, following 'Tom's' instructions found 
the Spring, then flowing through a barrel, and in 
the midst of a dense forest. From the Spring, Wash- 



ington and his companions proceeded to General 
Gordon's, where they dined. Toward nightfall 
they parted from that General with many expres- 
sions of regret, and left for Schenectady. As the 
party moved off, James Scott, the father of Hon. 
George G. Scott, of Ballston, then in his tenth year, 
boy-like, secreted himself behind a rail-fence by the 
roadside, and peeped through the rails. He ever 
afterwards retained a vivid recollection of Wash- 
ington's physiognomy and appearance on horse- 
back." 

In later years the memory of this visit gave 
to one of Ballston's medicinal fountains its 
name — "Washington Spring." 



THE HOTELS. 

Mr. Booth has given the early history of the 
Sans Soiici, the Aldridge (Douglas) House, 
McMaster's and White's. There are many 
other entertaining facts which are deserving 
of a place in the history of the village. 

THE FAMOUS SANS SOUCI. 

In the year 1803 Nicholas Low erected the 
spacious Sans Souci, Ballston's largest hotel, 
from ■ plans furnished by Andrew Berger, a 
French loyalist refugee, who became its 
first landlord the next year. Harper's 
Tourists' Guide, published as late as 1830, 
says : "The Sans Souci Hotel is the principal 
house in the place, and<is at least equal in plan 
and arrangement to any similar establishment 
in the country. Sans Souci is a building of 
great size and presents a front 156 feet long, 
with a wing extending back from each end 
150 feet, all of them three stories high, and 
contains lodging for 250 persons." The Sans 
Souci buildings and grounds at this time oc- 
cupied the entire block bounded by Front 
street, Milton avenue, Washington and Spring 
streets. 

In this large and palatial hotel were en- 
tertained the most distinguished men of the 
nation — Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Martin Van 
Buren and his son Prince John, General Wool, 
J. Fenimore Cooper, Franklin Pierce, Commo- 
dores Hull, Decatur and McDonough, An- 
drew Jackson, Douglas, Seward, William L. 
Marcy, Edward Everett, Silas Wright, Wash- 
ington Irving — presidents, senators, gover- 
nors and judges, soldiers and authors inscribed 
their names on its register. There Joseph 
Bonaparte, ex-king of Spain, and his suite 
stayed for some months in 1821 ; and there, in 



68 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLS TON SFA 






the east parlor, a messenger brought to him 
the letter that announced the death of the 
great Napoleon on the island of St. Helena. 
Prince Napoleon, the last Emperor of France, 
was a guest when a young man. And there. 
on July 4, 1857, Hon. William L. Marcy, 
three times Governor of New York, died quite 
suddenly. 

The Ballston Journal of July 7, 1857, has 
the following account of the death of Govern- 
or Marcy : 

"This distinguished citizen, who had filled so 
many important stations both in the State and 
nation, departed this life on last Saturday after- 



1812; recorder of the City of Troy; attorney-gen- 
eral and also controller of the State; justice of the 
supreme court; U. S. senator; secretary of war 
under President Polk, and secretary of state under 
President Pierce. Mr. Marcy was one of the most 
eminent statesmen of his day." 

More than one hundred years ago, in the 
summer of 1805, the second season of the Sans 
Souci, Mr. Elkanah Watson and Mr. Bayard 
were traveling in the northern part of the 
State of New York. Mr. Watson's journal 
says : 

"We left Albany on the 19th of August, and the 
ensuing day reached the 'Sans Souci,' in Ballston, 
amid scenes of elegance and gaiety. We seated our- 




SANS SOUCI HOTEL IN 1850. 



noon, July 4, about half past twelve o'clock, at the 
Sans Souci Hotel in this village, where he had been 
staying a few weeks previous to his intended de- 
parture for Europe. An hour previous to his death, 
Mr. Marcy was walking about our streets, and, to 
all appearances, was in perfect health. During the 
forenoon, however, he complained of a slight pain 
in his back, and about 11 o'clock a. m. he called at 
the residence of Dr. L. Moore. Not finding the 
doctor at home, he shortly afterward returned to 
the hotel and requested the clerk to send for the 
doctor. He then retired to his room, (about 15 
minutes past 12.) The doctor soon arriving went 
to his room and rapped, but received no answer. 
He then returned to the office and after waiting a 
few minutes again went to his room and opened 
the door. On entering the room he found him, as 
was first supposed, in a quiet sleep ; but alas ! life 
had departed. It is supposed his difficulty was a 
disease of the heart. He was Governor three terms, 
being defeated for a fourth nomination by Gov. 
Win. H. Seward. He was a soldier of the war of 



selves at a sutnptuous table, with about a hundred 
guests of all classes, but generally, from their appear- 
ance and deportment, of the first respectability, as- 
sembled here from every part of the Union and 
from Europe, in the pursuit of health or pleasure, 
or matrimony, or of vice. This is the most splendid 
watering-place in America, and is scarcely sur- 
passed in Europe in its dimensions, and the taste 
and elegance of its arrangement. The building 
contains about one hundred apartments, all re- 
spectably furnished. The plan upon which it is 
constructed, the architecture, the style of the out- 
buildings, and the gravel walks girted with shrub- 
bery — are all on a magnificent scale. What a con- 
trast has the progress of fifteen. years, since I was 
here in i7go, produced! Where the 'Sans Souci' 
now stands, was then an almost impenetrable 
quagmire, enveloped in trees, and deformed by 
slumps and fallen logs. A single, one-story house, 
situated upon the hill which overlooked this deso- 
late valley, was the only public accommodation, 
and although at the height of the season was oc- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



69 



cupied by six or eight families. I described, in my 
journal of that day, the arrangements for drinking 
and bathing which then existed. 

"In the evening, we attended a ball in the spaci- 
ous hall, brilliantly illuminated with chandeliers, 
and adorned with various other appliances of ele- 
gance and luxury. Here was congregated a fine 
exhibition of the refinement of the 'beau monde.' 
A large proportion of the assembly was from South- 
ern States, and was distinguished by elegant and 
polished manners. Instead of the old-fashioned 
country dances and four-hand reels, of revolutionary 
days, I was pleased to notice the advance of re- 
fined customs, and the introduction of the graces 
of Paris, in the elegant cotillion and quadrille. At 
table I was delighted in observing the style and ap- 
pearance of the company, males and females inter- 
mixed in the true French usage of 'Sans Souci.' 
The board was supplied in profusion, not only with 
a rich variety, but with the luxuries of more sunny 
climes. There was a large display of servants, hand- 
somely attired, while the music of a choice band 
enlivened the occasion. 

"In the afternoon, we arrived at Congress Hall, 
in Saratoga. This is a large hotel, three stories 
high, with galleries in front, but far inferior to the 
'Sans Souci' in dimensions and appearance. The 
Saratoga Springs, since my first visit, have obtained 
great celebrity for their extraordinary medicinal 
properties. They are esteemed more efficacious than 
the Ballston waters. Saratoga is proving a formid- 
able rival to Ballston, and it is probable will ac- 
quire the fashionable ascendency, and eventually be- 
come the Bath of America." 

Mr. Jacob Cohen, of Charleston, S. C, was 
a guest at the Sans Souci during the seasons 
of 1812-13-14, and in all a score of seasons, 
the last in 1870. He said on his last visit, 
speaking of earlier days: "There was no 
place like Ballston, and no hotel like the Sans 
Souci, tho' I have visited all the famous wa- 
tering places on this continent." Mr. Cohen 
died in 1871. 

The Ballston Spa Gazette in its issue of 
June 10, 1823, said: "Yesterday morning the 
bell of the Sans Souci announced the arrival 
of its guests. Since last season the property 
of Mr. Low has been transferred to Mr. Har- 
vey Loomis, of Albany, and we have the satis- 
faction to state that the present proprietor has 
made great improvements which have added 
much to the internal embellishment of the 
Sans Souci Hotel. Messrs. Aldridge and 
Cory's boarding houses are again opened for 
the reception of company." 

It was about this time that Peter, or "Pete" 
Francis, as he was familiarly called, was the 
chef of the Sans Souci. After remaining a 
few seasons, with the assistance of the late 
Hon. James M. Cook, he established himself 



in a small one-story-and-a-half inn at the 
south end of Saratoga Lake, and for many 
years the "fish and game dinners" of Pete 
Francis were famous the country over. 

In 1849 John W. Fowler established the 
"State and National Law School" in the Sans 
Souci. He opened it with a faculty of eminent 
professors and secured a large attendance of 
stttdents. At the examination in that year, 
Ex-President Van Buren, Governor Hamil- 
ton Fish, Horace Greeley and Henry Clay' 




'& 



■ .^.iaiiajiiiiitjjpi) 

The imdirsiiined having |iirchiisi"<l nil (hi- intiri»l of Ni- ; 

ehoUs Low. in Iht Vilbjc of Billjl* Sp», »P«' »"" nolicc lo llic pohUc, >b»l 
he has taken posscMon of the iibov? clegunt E^tablUhtneiit, and hna thoroughly , 
repaired the samr, and supplied it nilh new foniilore He has engaged kind, 
atientive and Iruslj servants, and Ladies and Gentlemen may be assured tb.st the 
bouse will be l(ept in as good style ind order as aoy estalslishtiicnt of the kind 
in the Union, He Halters himself that s¥ith renewed escrlions, added lo dii- 
former reputation of the house, vtJ^ltassnt aitd keallhy loeatiun, tlu numtrbut 
.Wmral ll'aUri in ih eiriiiify, and (be excHions whieh will be made for Ihi' 
comfort, convenience and pleasure of the visitors, that he .hall receive that ,.., 
troBajic which has beep so liberally bestowed on the establishment for the l.is 
/ifirm yrnr.. by visitants fro» all puffs of the world. For llvo raivenieocc o 
iaUludinarim,, there s.ill be constaotly kept b the house Jlpifl^rentjii.i.ls.i 
Mineral Waters produced in IhtJ nci^borbood. in a pore st»le. 
will be choice and select, the most of thcio havtog been in tli 
years. Several Lines of Daily Stjges stop at ttie above cstal 
Coaches for parlies, or single bors^can at nil time- he h 
As the ondersigned intends to mltc this place his pi 



of 



, LKJIUIUS 



ll»._ 




PgtrmTsa-tsa-igg^ 1 

i^l^nfrlUJtiTjiIm'j'ciisfreVstFsj^^™"*'*'"' ^""^ "' S*iafc.lf«rtrl,"r^ 

A Circular of 182.3. 

were present, the great Kentucky commoner 
delivering a memorable address to the stu- 
dents in the afternoon, and Horace Greeley 
speaking in the evening. Ex-President Tyler 
was present at the commenceinent in 1850. 
This school had a brief existence of three 
vears. 

The Sans Souci was again opened as a 
hotel, and so continued until, in 1863, Rev. D. 
W. Smith, of the Galway Ladies' Seminary, 
purchased the property and removed his large 
boarding school to Ballston Spa. 

'The warm friendship existing between Henry 
Clay and lohn W. Taylor made him a visitor at the 
Sans Souci, and at the home of his friend, season 
after season. One of these visits is mentioned in the 
biographical sketch of Mr. Taylor. 



70 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTOX SPA 



During the memorable Presidential campaign 
of i860, in which he was a candidate for Presi- 
dent, Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, on July 25th, 
spoke briefly to a large assemblage from the 




Ballston Spa House, erected 1805. 

piazza of the Sans Souci. He was introduced 
by Judge Scott, and began his remarks with 
these wdrds : "I came not to make a political 
speech, but to see this pleasant town, and i'> 
visit the spot where my grandfather erected 
his house seventy years ago." After con- 
cluding his speech, and while the meeting was 
in progress, the distinguished Senator walked 
west over Front street to the Douglas house. 
at that time known as "The Institute,'' a mill 
tary school for boys. 

Mr. George Smith purchased the property 
in 1868, and re-opened it as a hotel, and it 
was occupied as such until 1887, when the 
property was purchased by Hon. Eugene F. 
O'Connor of New York, and the fine old 
building, still in good condition, much to the 
regret of the entire village, was torn down to 
make room for business blocks. 

In 1804 the building now occupied by R. 
L. Carter, undertaker, on Milton avenue, was 
built by Mr. Low for the residence of the 
proprietor of the Sans Souci, and also for 
lodging guests; and in 1805 the Ballston Spa 
House was built by Mr. Low and kept as an 
all-year house, the Sans Souci closing after 
the summer season. This hotel stood at the 
corner of Milton avenue and Washington 
street, the site now occupied by the building 
of J. S. Wooley. 

The Sans Souci barns and sheds were of 



enormous size, and stood on the north side of 
Washington street, directly in the rear of the 
hotel, occupying all the ground between Mil- 
ton avenue and Fenwick street, and north to 
the present store of W. G. Ball & Co. 

THE ALDRIDGE HOUSE. 

This was the first large hotel. It was built 
by Benajah Douglas in 1792. A few years 
later it came into the possession of Joshua B. 
Aldridge. The first season under his man- 
agement, the house was continuously over- 
crowded, and Mr. Aldridge immediately built 
a large wing on the west, and another on the 
north, for a dancing hall, more than doubling 
the size of the house. On a pane of glass in 
one of the windows of this hall, on a certain 
festive occasion, Washington Irving, then a 
guest, wrote his name with a diamond. This 
glass is now in possession of Mr. Waterbury, 
the owner of the Aldridge House, now called 
"Brookside." This dancing hall in after years 
was moved across the street, and remodeled 
into the large double house in which Mr. 
George M. Hoyt now resides. In a preceding 
chapter Mr. Ilooth has charmingly told of the 
life at "Aldridge's." 




Built by Nicholas Low in 1804, now occupied by R. L. Carter. 
THE .MC MASTER HOUSE. 

This house was one of the popular houses 
of the village. Built by Mr. Low in 1792, 
James Merrill was its first landlord. In 1795, 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



71 



tlie house passed into the hands of the Mc- 
Master brothers. They built a large addition 
on the south, the first floor being used for a 
ballroom, with sleeping rooms above. In later 
years this addition was removed a short dis- 
tance south, and for some years past has been 
the summer home of John E. Walker, of AX 
bany. 

The Sans Souci, Aldridge's and McMas- 
ter's seem to have been the resort of the hon 
ton, and to have attained a wide celebrit\ . 
Their fame has been preserved in the writings 
of their guests. 



now, when the nights are becoming cold, the beds 
are without curtains, and the bed-rooms barely 
furnished. Mr. Brown,' an attorney and counsellor 
here, and an e.xceedingly well informed man, is a 
permanent boarder in the house. 

"Both at Saratoga and at Ballston doors are 
very generally left unlocked during the night. Shut- 
ters to the windows are not common. Clothes are 
left out to bleach during the night on the unen- 
closed greens m the villages. On my wife's apply- 
ing for a washerwoman two or three days ago to 
wash some clothes, our landlady said that they 
should be washed in the house, and that she would 
get in a lady to assist. The lady, when she ap- 
peared, turned out to be a lady of color. It will 
not do here to talk of the lower classes: 'Send for 




SANS SOUCI HOTEL IN" ISW. 



Mr. James Stuart, an English traveller, 
made a tour in the United States in 182S, vis- 
iting Saratoga and Ballston. In his diary ap- 
pears the following: 

"On the 31st of October we changed our quarters 
from Saratoga Springs to Ballston Spa, in a pleasant 
situation in a hollow surrounded on all sides by 
high grounds. The Kayaderosseras, a small river, 
runs through the village, which contains 800 or 
1,000 people. 

"There are only two great hotels here, the 'Sans 
Souci,' which is on the largest scale, and Mr. Al- 
dridge's. There are several small hotels and board- 
ing houses. The baths are as good as at Saratoga 
Springs. We are in the boarding house of Mrs. 
Macmaster, one of the most comfortable we have 
seen in this country. The house is managed by 
herself, two daughters and a little girl. Everything 
good of its kind ; poultry, the best that we have 
met with ; dinners well cooked, and coffee as well 
prepared as by the best restaurants in the Palais 
Royal. The charge, four dollars per week. Bui 
this is not the gay season, when the rate is, of 
course, greater. 

"There rs nothing to find fault with, excepting that 



that fellow, — order such a woman to come here.' 
Language of that kind will not be tolerated by any 
part of the community. The feeling of self-respect 
exists almost universally. 

"Soap and candles are very generally manu- 
factured at home. Wax candles are much used 
even in an ordinary boarding-house, and said to be 
alinost as cheap as those made of tallow ; much 
use is made in washing, of water run off wood 
ashes. 

"In the beginning of October the mornings be- 
came frosty, and the ice occasionally of some thick- 
ness, but the sun had great influence in the mid- 
dle of the day. During the whole month we had 
a cloudless sky and pure atmosphere — finer weather 
than I ever before witnessed at this season. The 
leaves of the trees began to change their colors 
soon after the month commenced, and acquired at 
different periods colors of such brilliancy and beau- 
ty as are not to be seen in Britain. The maple be- 

^\nson Brown, who afterward married one of 
these "two daughters." He was an alumnus of 
Union College, and was elected to Congress as a 
Whig in 1838. His daughter. Miss Elizabeth Brown, 
resides in Saratoga Springs. 



72 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



came of a fine scarlet, the hickory and walnut as 
yellow as a crocus, and the sumach of a deep red 
or scarlet. The appearance of an American forest 
at this season is altogether superior in magnificence, 
beauty and clearness of tint to any similar scene in 
other countries. 

"There is an Episcopal Church here. The clergy- 
man [Dr. Babcock] has an establishment for edu- 
cating young men." 

The McMaster house stood at the corner of 
Front and Court streets. It was destroyed by 
fire June 21, 1855. In 1865 the village ac- 



mire, surrounded by trees, stumps and logs. 
This was the Ballston Spring. I observed two 
or three ladies walking along a fallen tree to 
reach the fountain, and was disgusted to see 
as many men washing their loathsome sores 
near the barrel. There was also a shower 
bath, with no protection except a bower of 
bushes. The largest number of visitors at one 
period the past summer, had been ten or 
twelve, and these were as many as could be 
accommodated." In 1805 Mr. Watson again 




An old Drawinjj. about 1815. The a'-tist omitted one story on the win>j of the Sans Souci in the foreground: and 
also attempted to show both the McMaster and .\ldridge Houses at the end of Front street The Pavilion on the 
hill back of the Aldridge House, and the long flight of steps leading up to it are clearly shown. 



quired the property, removed the ruins, and 
used the ground in straightening Front street, 
which up to that time turned to the north at 
the brow of the hill, - intersecting Charlton 
street just north of the present Iron Spring. 

OTHER HOTELS AND BO.VRDING HOUSES. 

In 1787 Salmon Tryon built a small log 
tavern at the corner of High and Ballston 
streets, near the site now occupied by the 
mansion of Mrs. Samuel Smith. In 1790, 
Elkanah Watson writing of his visit to Balls- 
ton in that year, says : "From Saratoga I 
proceeded to Tryon's, a low, one-story tavern 
on a hill in Ballston. At the foot of this hill 
I found an old barrel with the staves open, 
stuck into the mud in the midst of a quag- 



visited Ballston. A marvellous change had 
taken place as he recounts in his journal. This 
will be found in connection with the Sans 
Souci. 

In the year 1792 Aaron Nash built a small 
inn a short distance southeast of the public 
well. Nash sold to Charles Cook in 1815, who 
kept the inn for a few years and the property 
later came into the hands of Joseph Jennings, 
who greatly enlarged it, and named it the Mil- 
ton House. Mr. Jennings kept the hotel until 
a few years before his death, when he trans- 
ferred it to his nephew, Hiram Jennings. Jo- 
seph Jennings was Sheriff of Saratoga 
County in the years 1835-36-37. He died 
August 9, 1878, at the advanced age of 91 
years. The brick cottage of Frank R. Wilson 



stands on the site of this 


hotel, 


which was de- 


stroyed by fire April 27, 1887. 

Beginning in 1798 with the front part, and 




s 


8 v 


■lllww 


1 


R^ 


tjcmij, ijij 


riU 


^|ffl| 




V 


HB 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



73 



Milton Ho 



adding two wings in 1799 and 1800, Stephen 
H. White, in 1801 completed his large board- 
ing house, just east of the present residence 
of F. T. Wheeler on West High street. Mr. 



ments, and it became known as "Cory Castle." 
It was destroyed by fire May 28, 1873. 

About 1798 Samuel Weldon built a tavern 
at the southwest corner of High and Ballston 
streets, where the residence of Miss Martha 
Looniis now stands. This was afterward for 
many years the home of Reuben Wright, one 
of Ballston's prominent citizens. The house 
was destroyed by fire in 1889. 

The Village Hotel (now Medbery's Hotel) 
at the corner of Front and Spring streets, was 
liuilt in 1804, and at first had a frontage of 
■ inly twenty-five feet on Front street. In 
1824 William Clark purchased the property, 
and added another twenty-five feet to the ho- 
tel on the west. He was succeeded by his son, 
Nathaniel M. Clark, who added still another 
twenty-five feet, giving the hotel its present 
size. Nathaniel M. Clark sold to Stephen B. 
Medbery in 1847, who kept the hotel for 
more than thirty years. Mr. Medbery is Balls- 
ton's oldest resident, being now in his 92d 
year. He still retains all his faculties and a 
good degree of physical strenth.* 




H>, 1 L.L ;.ii.ijl_.i^KV-lSW-1907. 

White died quite suddenly in 1808, and his The Mansion House of Archibald Kidd was 

widow kept the house for many years. Mrs. built about 1806. It was for many years a 

White married David Cory, and after her .j^^. j^gj^ery died in October, since this was 

death, Mr. Cory changed the house into tene- written. 



74 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



very popular house, and is still standing on 
Front street, just east of the railroad bridge, 
and has long been known as the "American." 



■or 




Eagle Hotel in 18^0. 



The Flint Hotel was west of Gordon creek, 
and was probably the house since known as 
the Boss house. 

Clark's hotel was built about the same time, 
probably a year earlier, and stood just where 



was known as the Ball House. These hotels 
and other buildings were burned in 1823. Mr. 
Clark purchased the Village Hotel. 

In 1808 J. Richie built a hotel on the north- 
east corner of Alilton and Malta avenues, and 
named it the W^ashington House. Farquhar 
AIcBain, a prominent citizen, purchased the 
house in 1815, and added to the hotel prop- 
erty a grocery store. The hotel in later years 
was known as Gleason's Hotel. The Lincoln 
Hotel occupies the same site. 

The first building on the site of the Eagle 
Hotel was a blacksmith shop, built in 1812. 
Messrs. Dake & Chatfield bought the shop and 
fitted it up for a trading post and a printing 
office. A few years later the building was 
burned, and the Eagle Hotel erected on the 
same site. James Ladow was the first land- 
lord. This old hotel was thoroughly repaired 
and refurnished throughout in May of the 
present year, and is kept by the owner, Mr. 
Charles D. Sickler. 




EAGLE HOTEI, IN' lodv. 



the north abutment of the railroad bridge over 
Front street is located. Adjoining it on the 
east were three buildings, two of which were 
occupied as stores on the first floor, with 
residences above. The building farthest west, 
at the corner of Front and Charlton streets, 



The Railroad House was built about 1835. 
In 1866 Henry Harrison built a large hand- 
some house on the site, and named it "Harri- 
son Hotel." This house was at different times 
known as the Peek Hotel, Commercial, Ameri- 
can and Plaza. The house was burned in 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



75 



1893. It stood where Heeney's Hotel is now 
located on Bath street, opposite the Railroad 
station. 

The Union Hotel at the north-end, on the 
corner of Milton avenue and South street, was 
built by Paul Settle, and was opened in the 
spring of i860, with Adam Wilbur as land- 
lord. 

The hotels built in recent years are the Hay- 
ner House on Bath street, opened July 21, 
1884, by Sherman Hayner; the Lincoln Hotel, 
built by James Hackett in 1890; the Heeney 
House on Bath street; St. Charles Hotel, Mil- 
ton avenue, and Foss' Hotel at the north-end, 
on Milton avenue. 



THE CHURCHES. 



BAPTIST CHURCH. 



The mother of Baptist churches in this sec- 
tion was the First Baptist Church of Stillwa- 
ter. Members of that church were settled in 
this vicinity and were recognized as a branch 
or out-station as early as 1785. Frequent ref- 
erence to the Ballstown Branch is to be found 
in the records of the Stillwater church, prior 
to 1791. Under date of December 10, 1785, 
the following appears : 

"We received a letter from the Ballstown Branch 
that one of the brethren was turned to be a rum- 
seller, and they desired help from the church. We 
appointed some brethren to go over to their as- 
sistance, and the brother was gained to our satis- 
faction." 

In 1 79 1 their records show a list of twenty- 
four "Ballstown brothers and sisters who 
have taken their letters to form a new church 
at Ballstown Springs." 

The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa 
was organized in 1791 from this colony of 
twenty-four members of the First Stillwater 
Church. It was the first religious society in- 
stituted in the village. At this early period 
the church met from tiiue to time in the homes 
of its members. In the year 1793, they se- 
cured for the Sunday services a school-house 
near the locality now known as the "V corn- 
ners," about one mile south of the village. A 
small tavern had been built at this point by 
Micajah Benedict, and a small hamlet of some 
half dozen houses had sprung up. In this 
school-house the little company of believers 
held "their services for ten years, their pulpit 



being supplied from time to time by Rev. Mr. 
Mudge and Rev. Elisha P. Langworthy. 

In 1797 the church became a member of the 
Shaftsbury Association under the name of 
the Second Milton church, and reported that 
year a membership of twenty. In 1798 there 
were twenty-nine members; but in 1799, un- 
der the powerful preaching and consecrated 
efforts of Elias Lee, a revival of great inter- 
est increased the membership to ninety-four. 

In 1800 the church settled its first pastor, 
Rev. Elias Lee, who came from the First 
church at Troy. He continued to serve the 
church with great acceptance for twenty- 
eight years. 

In 1802 the church was incorporated under 
the laws of the State, and the following 
year Elias Lee made a gift to the church of 
a large lot, and a meeting-house was erected. 
It stood in the northeasterly part of the pres- 
ent village cemetery a little north of the 
public vault. The pulpit in this meeting-house 
is said to have been almost directly above the 
place where Mr. Lee was buried. This was 
the first house of worship erected in the 
village. 

In 1805. this church with twelve other Bap- 
tist churches withdrew from the Shaftsbury 
Association and organized the Saratoga Bap- 
tist Association. 

At this point ]\Ir. Booth, in his unpublished 
history, says : 

"Elias Lee as early as the year 1800 had 
purchased the land now comprising the vil- 
lage cemetery, and for some distance south 
and westward on the Garrett road. He built 
and resided in the old house yet standing on 
that road, afterwards occupied by Aaron 
Nash.' He was' a gunsmith by trade, but 
being a inan of great piety and religious en- 
thusiasm, and a constant student of the Bible, 
he became a powerful and popular religious 
preacher of the Baptist persuasion. Owing 
to his efforts a large congregation of that de- 
nomination was gathered together. On No- 
vember 2, 1802, we find a record of a meeting 
of the Baptists held 'at the school-house, their 
tisual place of worship,' for the purpose of 
legally incorporating their Society. William 
Stilwell, Joseph Robinson, Nehemiah Seeley, 

'The old red house which stood on the north side 
of the Garrett road, a little west of Ballston street, 
in later years occupied by James Newcomb. 




THE CHURCHES OF BALLSTON SPA, 1907. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



77 



Elihu Roe and Jonathan Peckham were elect- 
ed Trustees, and it was voted that the Society 
should be known 'by the name and title of 
the Baptist Church and Society of Ballston 
Springs.' This deed of incorporation is 
signed by Elias Lee, Elder, and William Stil- 
well, deacon, and witnessed by John Blood 
and Joseph Garrett. 

"Elder Lee, by his personal contribution,' 
and some little help from his congregation, 
succeeded in erecting the first church edifice 
in the village. It stood on the lot known as 
the 'old burying ground,' in the present cem- 
etery. It was built in 1803. In 1816 Nicholas 
Low presented this congregation with a lot 
nearer the inhabited portion of the village. 
It was located on the east side of Science 
street, where the railroad crosses that high- 
way.' The church was removed to this site, 
where it remained until after the railroad was 
built, when the church finally located on the 
present site, erecting their house of worship 
here in 1835, on land purchased of the late 
Stephen Smith. The trustees at the time of 
the first removal were William Stilwell, 
Hezekiah Middlebrook, Sen., John Ayrs, 
Elihu Roe, Owen Sage and Simeon P. All- 
cott." 

The edifice mentioned above by Mr. Booth 
was the large stone church which stood at the 
head of Front street, and in which the Baptist 
Society held its services for sixty years. The 
last services in this church were held Sunday, 
December 13, 1896. 

The present church edifice, on the east side 
of Milton avenue, between Van Buren and 
Ford streets, is one of the finest in Northern 
New York. It was dedicated December 20, 
1896. The old church was taken down, and 
its site is now occupied by the Manogfue busi- 
ness block. 

The pastorate of Elias Lee, the longest in 
the history of the church, was marked by 
special revivals in 181 1, when forty were bap- 

*EIder Lee is said to have mortgaged his farm to 
obtain the money necessary to complete the meeting- 
house. 

'Where the railroad water-tank now stands. The 
deed is dated June 19, 1816, and is from Nicholas 
Low to William Stilwell, Hezekiah Middlebrook, 
Jr., Jnhn Ayrs, Elihu Roe, Oren Sage and Simeon 
P. Allcott, trustees of Baptist Church of Ballston 
Spa. The consideration is $1. The deed contains 
the following provision : "Trustees allowed to con- 
vey same to any religious denomination except Anti- 
frinitarians." 



tized, and in 1819 when sixty were baptized. 
At his death in 1829 the church numbered 143. 

The second name on the roll of pastors is 
that of William E. Waterbury, who served 
the church between 1830 and 1833. 

Sylvester S. Parr became pastor November 
I, 1833. His short pastorate of less than two 
years was a season of continuous revival; 119 
were baptized the first year, and 36 the 
second. 

In the letter of the church to the Saratoga 
Baptist Association in 1835, we find the fol- 
lowing: 

"We have purchased a site for a new place of 
worship, in the most central and eligible part of the 
village, and design early ne.xt season to erect a 
commodious and elegant stone building on the above 
mentioned site, which we trust will be a birth-place 
for souls, even after we who now fill the church are 
dead. Wc have money enough, if we only had 
hearts to use it, which we trust God is stirring us 
up to do." 

The corner-stone of this church was laid in 
October, 1835. Rev. Sylvester S. Parr, was 
pastor; Samuel R. Garrett, Barnabas Cross- 
inan, Abram Middlebrook, Sylvester Blood, 
Hiram Middlebrook, deacons; A. T. Davis, 
clerk. 

This meeting-house was for a number of 
years the largest and finest in the county. 
There were galleries on three sides, with the 
pulpit at the rear of the church, a style just 
then coming into vogue. The church would 
accommodate nearly one thousand people. 

Charles B. Keyes became pastor in Febru- 
ary, 1836, and served the church fourteen 
months. 

Norman Fox became pastor March 26, 
1838, and held that office nearly twelve years, 
resigning October 21, 1849. This period 
was the golden age in the spiritual prosperity 
of the church. In 1839, 76 converts were 
baptized ; and as the result of a still more 
powerful revival in 1843, 138 were received 
by baptism. It was at this time that the church 
reached its high-water mark of 417 'mem- 
bers. Some of the older members of the 
church were wont to tell of that most memor- 
able scene when on a beautiful Sabbath morn- 
ing in the month of June, 1843, "Elder" Fox 
gave the hand of fellowship to a large com- 
pany of believers, more than one hundred in 
number, recently baptized, the line of new 
members extending from either side of the 
pulpit to the outside aisles and completely 



78 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



around the church. Air. Fox first entered the 
legal profession, and was thrice elected to the 
Assembly, in the years 1819, 1820, 1830. He 
afterward studied for the ministry. Elder 
Fox is buried in the village cemetery. A 
plain white marble slab marks his grave, bear- 
ing this inscription : "Norman Fox, born 
Sept. 17. 1792, died Oct. 3, 1863." "My flesh 
shall rest in peace." 




Baptist Church— 1835. 

Orrin Dodge became pastor March 24, 1850, 
and closed his ministry November 8, 1851. 

Joseph Freeman became pastor May i, 
1852, and served just one year. 

L. W. Hayhurst became pastor in Novem- 
ber, 1853, and closed his ministry February 
8, 1857. 



The shortest pastorate was that of E. S. 
Widdemer, which lasted but eight months, 
from May 3, 1857. Mr. Widdemer after- 
ward became a clergyman of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. 

William Groom was called to the pastorate 
from his studies at Rochester Theological 
Seminary March 28, 1858. He was the first 
pastor ordained by the church. 

William O. Holman became pastor in 1862, 
and served the church three years. This was 
during the stirring days of the civil war, and 
his intense patriotism was hardly excelled by 
his zealous work for the church. October 
25, 1863, Air. Holman preached a memorial 
sermon for Elder Norman Fox, who died on 
the third day of that month. 

P. Franklin Jones served the church as 
pastor from November, 1865 to May, 1867. 

George W. Clark, D.D., became pastor 
March i, 1868, and resigned June 25, 1873. 

Elias H. Johnson, D.D., accepted the pas- 
torate February 7, 1874, but retained the office 
only about one year. Dr. Johnson a few years 
later became one of the faculty of Crozer 
Theological Seminary, where he remained un- 
til his death in 1905. 

Robert T. Jones was called to the pastorate 
May I, 1875, at the close of his studies at 
Colgate Seminary. He was ordained June 
24, 1875. The temporary failure of his health 
induced his resignation November 26, 1879. 

William T. C. Hanna began his labors with 
the church February i, 1880. His pastorate 
extended over a period of a little more than 
ten years. He resigned August i, 1890, to 
become pastor of the Baptist church at Brad- 
ford, Pa. 

William T. Dorward succeeded to the pas- 
torate December i, 1890, and served the 
church until January 28, 1894. 

Gove Griffith Johnson received a call to the 
pastorate June 2, 1894, just at the conclusion 
of his studies at Colgate Seminary. He was 
ordained June 28, and served the church with 
great acceptance for five and a half years, re- 
signing the charge January i, 1900. It was 
during his pastorate that the present beautiful 
church was built, at a cost of $30,000. The 
comer stone of the church was laid by Mr. 
Johnson with impressive ceremonies in the 
presence of a very large assemblage, on June 
6, 1896, and the dedication of the house to 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



79 



public worship was on Sunday, December 20, 
of the same year, Rev. G. J. Johnson, D.D., 
father of the pastor, preaching the dedicatory 
sermon. 

An incident in connection with the laying 
of the corner-stone is worthy of record. The 
church officials desired to place in the corner- 
stone of the new church the copper box and its 
contents which were contained in the corner- 
stone of the old church. A search for the 
stone at the front corners of the church was 
unavailing, when Miss Melinda Seeley, one 
of the oldest living members of the church 
made the remark that she knew the copper box 
was there, for she remembered as a young 
girl, seeing it placed in the corner-stone when 
it was laid by the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Frank 
R. Wilson, a mason by occupation as well as 
a member of Franklin Lodge, who was 
searching for the stone, immediately went to 
the "north-east corner" at the rear of the 
church, and in a few minutes took the old 
corner-stone from the wall, and delivered ,it 
with copper box and contents intact, to the 
church officials. There is only one other in- 
stance on record in Saratoga county where 
the corner-stone of a church has been laid by 
the Masonic fraternity. 

The present fine edifice on "the flat," is a 
grand memorial to one of the best loved and 
most faithful pastors of this old Church So- 
ciety. 

As successor to Mr. Johnson, the church 
again called a young man fresh from his 
studies at Rochester Theological Seminary, 
and on June 21, 1900. Arthur C. Baldwin 
was ordained to the gospel ministry, the first 
ordination in the new meeting-house. His 
pastorate continued for nearly six years, end- 
ing March 5, 1906. He was faithful and 
zealous in the work of advancing all the in- 
terests of the church. 

Arthur B. Potter, the present pastor, was 
installed May i, 1906. 

From earliest days and until 1866, the or- 
dinance of baptism was administered in the 
waters of the Kayaderosseras. the Blue Mill 
pond and the Red Mill pond. The record 
states that "on Sunday, December 3, 1865, 
Mary A. Garrett and Jane Fox McClew were 
baptized in the Red Mill pond." '^he writer 
recalls the occasion, and that the ice, several 
inches in thickness, was removed for a con- 



siderable space, to permit the ceremony. Jan- 
uary 7, 1866, John Mcintosh, Joseph Morris, 
Theresa Morris, Mrs. H. Middlebrook, Alice 
Hubbell, Fanny Bartow and Ada Knox were 
immersed in the new baptistry in the church, 
the first time it was used. From that time 
the beautiful custom of repairing to the water- 
side for this solemn ceremony has given place 
to the more convenient observance within the 
sanctuary. 

The history of this pioneer church of Balls- 
ton Spa is a long and proud record of good 
work faithfully performed. The present 
church officers are : William L. Maxon, clerk ; 
H. H. Ferris, S. H. Coons, R. N. Garrett, E. 
R. Wooley, Wm. H. Sipperly, A. N. Wiley, 
Thomas Green, Deacons ; H. H. Ferris, A. N. 
Wiley, J. S. Wooley, W. H. Tibbetts, Lester 
Streever, E. J. Briggs, Trustees. 

The parsonage was a gift to the church 
from Mrs. W. J. Parkinson, formerly Mrs. 
Isaiah Blood. It is on the west side of Milton 
avenue, between Ford and Prospect streets. 

ELIAS LEE. 

At the centennial of the church held Octo- 
ber II, 1891, a biographical sketch of the first 
village pastor was read by Rev. H. L. Grose, 
in which he said : 

"Elias Lee was born at Danbury, Connecticut, in 
1765 ; he was schooled in the Danbury Academy, 
and received for that time a liberal education. He 
engaged in school-teaching for a time, and was 
licensed by the Danbury Baptist Church 'to preach 
the Gospel wherever his lot might be cast.' A 
daughter of Elder Langworthy, Mrs. A. L. Crosby, 
of Riverside, Illinois, says of Mr. Lee: 'He was 
a student, and scholarly when compared with my 
father and other ministers of that day. He was 
regarded as a powerful preacher and a good man, 
unexceptionable in his daily walk and conversation.' 

"Mr. Lee was of fine presence, in stature above 
the medium height, and well proportioned. When- 
ever he began to speak every ear was open to the 
pleasant tones of his musical voice ; a voice of great 
strength and compass, which he modulated to suit 
the occasion, so that in pulpit, in the court house, 
in a school-house, in a barn, or in the open air, its 
tones were rich, clear and silvery: never harsh and 
shrill, even when loud enough to be heard at a 
great distance. His hearers were always attentive, 
because they knew he never, on any occasion, arose 
to speak without having something valuable to com- 
municate. Doctors, judges, lawyers, county officials 
and resident representatives in the State Legisla- 
ture and in Congress, were regular attendants upon 
his ministrations in the first meeting-house of the 
church. A stronger testimonial of his ability and 
worth need not be sought. He was generous in his 



80 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



care for the poor. He was rated in the coininunity 
as among tlie wealthy of that day. and none were 
permitted to exceed him in contributions to the 
cause of Christ. The proof of this is in the fact 
that he mortgaged one of his farms to obtain the 
money wherewith to complete the first meeting 
house. For many years he gave his services to the 
•church free of all receipts from its treasury." 

A plain slab of white marble marks the 
grave of Mr. Lee in the village cemetery. It 
bears this inscription : "Sacred to the mem- 
ory of Elder Elias Lee, pastor of the Baptist 
church at Ballston Spa, who died December 
26th, 1828, in the 64th year of his age. 'They 
that be wise shall shine as the brightness of 
the firmament, and they that turn many to 
righteousness as the stars forever and ever.' 
Daniel ch. xii, v. 83." 

ELISHA p. L.\NGWORTHY. 

"Elder" Langworthy made his home in 
Balls-town about the year 1790. He fre- 
quently preached for the newly organized 
Baptist church, but was not ordained to the 
work of the ministry until December 18, 1800, 
when he became the first pastor of the Bap- 
tist church at Saratoga Springs. 

Mr. Sylvester, in his history of Saratoga 
county, says: 

"His home was at Ballston Spa, and he often 
came on foot to meet and preach to his people. In 
the cold weather he came through the drifted snow, 
and before going to the pulpit would shake hands 
with every person present, and then, with overcoat 
and mittens on, preach his sermon ; then have an 
intermission, and after that another sermon ; and 
then part with them, to meet on the next Sabbath. 
In those days they had no stoves, and so did not 
see fire from the time they left home until they 
reached it again. A cold lunch was in order on 
those wintry Sabbaths. The church was largely in- 
creased under his labors." 

It has been incorrectly stated that he 
"was afterward settled over the church in 
Ballston Spa." Elder Lang\vorthy was never 
pastor of the church in this village. His home 
was here all through his pastorate of nineteen 
years in Saratoga. He was a neighbor and 
contemporary of Elias Lee, who became pas- 
tor in Ballston Spa a few months before Elder 
Langworthy became pastor at Saratoga. He 
died at his home in this village December 10, 
1827, in the 61 st year of his age. Elias Lee 
died the following December, and was pastor 
here at the time of his decease. 



EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The second church in Ballston Spa was St. 
Paul's Episcopal, organized in 1810, Rev. 
Joseph Perry, rector. 

"Christ's church in balls-town." 

As early as the Revolution a small society 
of churchmen existed in the Ball-Town settle- 
ment, but with no defined organization or 
pastor. Shortly after the war their numbers 



TiiIiiiiiiTicfmni i 

^IlllllllllllJllllllUiiii 





Episcopal Church hailt at Ballston Centre in 1V91. This 
building was removed to Ballston Spa in l«17. 



were increased, and in 1787, through the ef- 
forts of a Missionary from St. Peter's church 
at Albany, the parish of Christ Church was 
organized by Thomas Smith, Ezekiel Horton, 
James Einott, Edmund Jennings, James 
Mann, Elisha Miller, Salmon Tryon, and 
forty-two others. The same year the congre- 
gation sent a letter to the Episcopal Convo- 
cation held in Albany in June, requesting rec- 
ognition. It was not until 1792, however, that 
regular Sunday services were held. In 1791 
the erection of a church edifice was com- 
menced on the "middle line" road, a short 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



81 



distance south of the present Presbyterian 
church at Ballston Centre, and in the spring 
of 1792, Rev. Ammi Rogers, the first settled 
pastor of the church began his ministrations 
in this building. He proved himself in the 
earlier years of his priesthood a faithful and 
zealous pastor, enterprising and untiring in 
his labors for building up his church. In the 
year 1796 he formed the parish of St. James, 
at Milton Hill. The church stood near the 
present school house. In 1842 the services of 
this parish were discontinued, the members 
uniting with Christ Church, Ballston Spa. 

April 1st, 1793, a meeting was held in the 
church in Balls-town, for the purpose of or- 
ganizing under the statute of 1784 in regard 
to religious societies. Ammi Rogers appeared 
as Rector. Elisha Benedict and Joseph 
Bettys, Sen., were chosen Wardens, and 
Thaddeus Betts, John Wright, Joshua Bloore, 
Jabez Davis, Richard Warn and James Emott, 
Vestrymen. They organized under the style 
and title of "The Church Wardens and 
Vestrymen of Christ's Church in Ballstown." 
The certificate is signed by Elisha Benedict 
and Joseph Bettys, Sen., and witnessed by 
Beriah Palmer and Gideon Putnam. 

On the first day of September, 1793, the 
church was consecrated to public worship ac- 
cording to the rites of the denomination, by 
the Rev. Samuel Provoost, the first Bishop 
of New York. The letter asking consecra- 
tion was signed, by order of the vestry, by 
James Emott, their clerk, and witnessed by 
Henry Walton. 

Mr. Rogers was Rector of the parish until 
1805, when he was succeeded by Rev. Fred- 
erick Van Horn, and he in turn by Rev. 
Gamaliel Thatcher, who died while in charge 

ST. Paul's church. 

As early as 1805, during the summer 
months, Rev. Joseph Perry used to hold ser- 
vices according to the Episcopal liturgy in 
the village of Ballston Spa, for the benefit of 
the numerous visitors at the Springs who 
belonged to that persuasion, and June 18, 
1810, we find them organizing under the 
statute. Joshua B. Aldridge and Salmon Try- 
on were chosen Wardens, and Epenetus 
White, Jr., Samuel Smith, William H. Noble, 
John Smith, Wright Tryon, Archibald Kidd, 
William H. Bridges and Nathan Parker, 



Vestrymen. The title of this congregation 
was "The Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen 
of St. Paul's Church in the village of Balls- 
ton Spa," with the Rev. Joseph Perry, rector. 
On the death of Rev. Gamaliel Thatcher, 
rector of Christ Church, the pastor of St. 
Paul's assumed charge of both churches. The 
separate congregations maintained but a 
feeble existence, and in 1817 it was deter- 
mined to consolidate into one society, to be 
located in the growing village of Ballston 
Spa. 

CHRIST CHURCH, BALLSTON SPA. 

Mr. Nicholas Low presented them with a 
lot on the south side of Front street, a little 
east of the railroad bridge, and that year, un- 
der the skillful direction of Epenetus White, 
Jr., the building at Ballston Centre was 
taken down, removed to the village, and erect- 
ed on the Front street lot, the united congre- 
gations occupying it under the title of "Christ 
Church," the name that had been given to the 
early church in Ballstown thirty years before. 
The church was reopened with appropriate 
services, and a sermon by Rev. Benjamin T. 
Onderdonk, afterwards Bishop of New York, 
from the text : "He loveth our nation and hath 
built us a synagogue." The church was con- 
secrated by Bishop John Henry Hobart, Aug- 
ust II, 1818. 

The first vestry of Christ Church, Ballston 
Spa, was Joshua B. Aldridge and James 
Mann, Wardens ; Epenetus White, Jr., Thomas 
Palmer, Samuel Smith, Thomas Smith, Eli 
Barnum and Daniel Starr, Vestrymen. 

Rev. Joseph Perry, the first rector of 
Christ Church, Ballston Spa, was succeeded 
by Rev. John Gray, Jr., who remained but a 
short time, and was followed by Rev. William 
A. Clark about 1820. 

In 1824 Rev. Deodatus Babcock accepted 
the call to the rectorship, and served the 
parish with great acceptance for more than 
twenty years, resigning the charge March 

25, 1845- 

From 1845 to the present time the rectors 
of the church have been: Revs. George J. 
Geer, November 19, 1845 to November, 1852; 
Robert C. Rogers, December 22, 1852 to May 
I, 1855; Charles Arey, May 12, 1855 to De- 
cember, 1857; George W. Dean, January, 1858 
to September 9, 1864; George Worthington, 



82 



CENTEXNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



November lo. 1864 to August i, 1868; Joseph 
Carey, August 25, 1868 to Noviember 11, 
1873; Walter Delafield, July 2, 1874 to Feb- 
ruary II, 1883; Charles Pelletreau, April i, 
1884 until his death on July 20, 1903 ; J. Win- 
throp Hegeman, September 22, 1903. the pre- 
sent rector. 

During the rectorship of Rev. George W. 
Dean the congregation decided to build a new- 
church edifice. With wise forethought, the 
church, in 1S35. purchased a valuable lot on 
the corner of High .street and Church avenue, 
and a few years later built a rectory on the 
property. Plans for a beautiful gothic struc- 
ture were made by Rev. Charles Babcock, son 
of the former pastor, Deodatus Babcock, and 
on October 5, i860, the corner-stone of the 
new church was laid by the Rev. Horatio Pot- 
ter, Provisional Bishop of the Diocese, as- 
sisted by Rev. Dr. Francis Vinton, of Trinity 
Church, New York City, who delivered the 
address on the occasion, and other clergymen. 
Rev. Dr. Babcock read a historical sketch of 
the church which was deposited in the corner- 
stone, with a copy of the Holy Scriptures, the 
Book of Common Prayer, and a list of the 
communicants and officers of the parish. 

The edifice was completed in March, 1862, 
at a cost of $11,000, and "the congregation 
took a sorrowful leave of the hallowed walls 
within which they and their fathers had so 
often gathered. There the children of suc- 
cessive generations had been baptized. There 
for many years the people had worshiped 'the 
Lord in his Holy Temple.' From its sacred 
altar the dead had been borne forth to burial, 
the sad refrain of mortality, 'ashes to ashes, 
dust to dust,' relieved by the glorious words 
of Christian hope, 'I am the resurrection and 
the life.' The congregation moved from the 
old to the new, praying that the glory of the 
former house might descend on the latter. The 
old edifice was taken down after a few years, 
its oaken frame still sound as when it came 
from the hewer's axe, fit representative of the 
solid men of old, who laid the foundations of 
our civil and religious institutions." 

As an evidence of early genuine Christian 
friendship it should be added that the old 
bell which so long called the faithful to the 
House of God, was a gift from the North 
Pearl Street Dutch Reformed Church of Al- 
bany. It was cast in Holland, and bears the 



ancient inscription; "Benj. Whitear, Sharon 
in 1774. This bell is made for the High Jar- 
mon Reformed church, Albani." This bell 
was hung in the belfry of the new church, and 
was used until 1880, when, during the pastor- 
ate of Rev. Walter Delafield, a larger and 
more powerful bell took its place. The new 
bell bears this inscription: "Christ Church, 
Ballston Spa, Easter Sunday, March 28, 1880. 
'I am the resurrection and life, saith the 
Lord.' " The old bell now hangs in the tower 
of the Parish House. 

Dr. Dean resigned in 1864, having accepted 
the chair of Professor of Greek and Latin in 
Racine College, Wisconsin. At the time of 
his death he was Chancellor of All Saints Ca- 
thedral, Albany, and Alumni Professor of the 
Evidences of Revealed Religion in the General 
Theological Seminary, New York. He was 
a man of eminent learning, and so regarded 
bv all his colleagues in the ministry, who often 
spoke of him as "a living encyclopedia." Like 
most learned men he was very modest. Dr. 
Dean died March 29, 1887, and is buried in 
the village cemetery. 

It was during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. 
Geer that the first pipe organ was placed in 
a Ballston church. Dr. Geer was a cultivated 
musician, and through his eflforts the fine old 
organ which did such splendid servnce for 
half a century, was placed in Christ Church 
by E. & G. Hook of Boston, August 10, 1850. 
Dr. Geer also established the Parish School. 

The church was consecrated in June, 1867, 
the services occupying two days. The Ball- 
ston Journal of June 15 gave this account of 
the occasion : 

"The fine edifice of Christ Church, in this village 
was consecrated to religious services last Tuesday 
morning by Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., LL.D., 
Bishop of this Diocese. A large number of clergy- 
men were in attendance and participated in the 
solemnities of an occasion which drew together 
many people, not merely as spectators, but as devout 
worshippers. Eighteen persons were confirmed,, 
among them Rev. Mr. Allen, formerly a Presby- 
terian minister at Ballston Centre. The evening 
sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Geer, of New 
York, formerly Rector of this church. Wednesday 
morning the Northern Missionary Convocation held 
a session, sermon by Rev. C. F. Robertson, of 
Malone. In the evening several addresses were 
made by clergymen from different places, thus clos- 
ing an occasion of unusual interest to churchmen. 
The sermons of Bishop Potter and Dr. Geer were 
worthy of their fame, and the music by the quartette 
choir was the admiration of the assembly and of 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



83 



the clergy especially. Their praise was well de- 

In 1873 the church purchased the State 
Armorv building on High street, opposite the 
church, and fitted it up as a Parish House. 
The second floor is occupied by the Sunday 

School. 

The present rectory, a modern cottage of 
fine architectural design, was erected in 1884, 
at a cost of $6,500. 

The Centennial of the church was observed 
in July, 1887. On Sunday, July 3, the ser- 
vices were of a commemorative character, the 
rector preaching a historical sermon. The 
services were continued on the following Wed- 
nesday and Thursday, a large number of the 
clergy being present. Bishop Potter, of New 
York, and Bishop Doane, of Albany, preach- 
ing the sermons. 

The longest pastorate in the history of the 
church was that of Rev. Deodatus Babcock, 
covering a period of more than twenty years. 
In addition to his parochial duties, Dr. Bab- 
cock from the first had a classical school for 
young men, and after his resignation of the 
rectorship, he established the Ballston Spa In- 
stitute, associating two sons in the enterprise. 
This school is mentioned elsewhere. Dr. Bab- 
cock continued to reside in Ballston Spa until 
his decease on February 2, 1876, at the age of 
85 years. . 

Rev. Charles Pelletreau was next m length 
of service, with a pastorate of nearly twenty 
years. In 1901, largely through his perse- 
vering efforts, the chancel was greatly en- 
larged, and the entire interior of the church 
greatlv beautified. The old organ was remod- 
eled, and some additions made, but the changes 
not proving satisfactory, a new organ was m- 
stalled in December, 1904. 

Rev. Walter Delafield was rector for nme 
years, and these three pastorates represent a 
period of half a century, and more than one- 
half of the life of Christ Church, Ballston 

Spa. 

Rev. George Worthington came to this 
church from Troy, a young man assuming for 
the first time the duties of Rector. His short 
pastorate of less than four years was a pros- 
perous period in the church life. The debt on 
the church was paid, the church consecrated, 
and the societv greatly strengthened through 
his ministrations. He was an eloquent 
preacher, and the house was filled at all the 



Sunday services. A call to the large parish 
of St. John's Church, Detroit, was accepted, 
and not only the church, but the entire com- 
munity felt that they had sustained a great 
loss with the departure of Rector Worthing- 
ton. While Rector of St. John's, he was 
chosen Bishop of Nebraska, and is still dis- 
charging the duties of that Bishopric. 

This sketch would be incomplete if it did 
not make especial mention of two devoted 
laymen of the church: 

James W. Horton, who was Clerk of Sara- 
toga County for thirty-nine years, a very un- 
usual record, served this church as one of its 
officers for a still longer period. He was a 
member of the vestry for fifty years, and for 
twenty-eight years Senior Warden, occupying 
that position at the time of his decease in 
1885. The beautiful triple window in the 
chancel of the church is an eloquent mernorial 
of his worth as a citizen, and of a faithful 
and earnest Christian life.. 

Stephen B. Medbery, a brother-in-law of 
Mr. Horton, became a member of the church 
in early life. He was a member of the choir 
for many years. He has been a member of the 
vestry for sixty years, and the Senior War- 
den for the last twenty-seven years. He is 
now in his ninety-second year. His son, Ste- 
phen C. Medbery, is Junior Warden. 

Of the former Rectors of Christ Church 
only two are living. Bishop Worthington and 
Rev. Dr. Joseph Carey, rector of Bethesda 
church, Saratoga Springs. 

Rev. J. Winthrop Hegeman, the present 
Rector, is now in his fourth year of service. 

The following are the present officers of the 
church: Stephen B. Medbery,* Stephen C. 
Medbery, Wardens; James W. Verbeck, 
Charles O. McCreedv, Frederick J. Wheeler. 
David L. Wood, Herbert C. Westcot, Samuel 
Smith, William G. Ball and Charles M. 
Brown, Vestrymen. 

Historical Note. — Some confusion has 
arisen as to the chronological order of or- 
ganization of the earliest religious societies, 
caused by the centennial observed by Christ 
Church in 1887. This was the centennial of 
the first Episcopal Church in Saratoga county, 
organized in the town of Ballston in 1787 un- 
der the name of "Christ's Church in Balls- 

*Mr. Medbery died in October, 1907, since this 
history was written. 



84 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



town." The earliest religious societies in the 
town of Ballstown were: Presbyterian, 1771 ; 
Baptist, 1785; Episcopal, 1787. The earliest 
church organizations in the village of Ballston 
Spa were: Baptist, 1791 ; St. Paul's, Episco- 
pal, 1810. St. Paul's and Christ's Church in 
, Ballstown were dissolved in 1817, and both 
societies united in the present society known 
as "Christ Church, Ballston Spa." This 
church may enjoy the unique pleasure of hold- 
ing another centennial celebration within its 
consecrated walls in 1917. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Ballston 
Spa was formed in 1834 by a colony from the 
old Ballston church and some others. The 
number who composed the church at its or- 
ganization was sixty-six. The services were 
first held in the court room of the old Court 
House, the Rev. James Wood, "a man of love- 
ly spirit, ministering to the young church" as 
a stated supply until September, when- Samuel 
Irenaeus Prime was engaged as a supply for 
six months, and the following June, 1835, was 
ordained and installed — the first pastor of the 
church. 

The first trustees were Moses Williams, 
James Comstock, Edward W. Lee, Christo- 
pher Earl, Jonathan S. Beach and Philip H. 
McOmber. They purchased the present site 
of the church from Harvey Loomis, paying 
therefor $800. 

The present church edifice was erected in 
1835, though not its present size, about twenty 
feet having been added to the eastern end. 
and the tall spire built, in 1857, during the 
pastorate of Rev. David Tully. 

The pastors and stated supplies of the 
church have been : 

James Wood, stated supply in 1834. 

Samuel Irenaeus Prime, ordained and in- 
stalled June 3, 1835. 

Albert T. Chester, ordained and installed 
October 26, 1836. 

Daniel Stewart, installed June 7, 1840. 

Rev. Mr. Shumway, stated supply. 

George T. Todd, installed March 29, 1845. 

Nathaniel Scudder Prime (father of Samuel 
I. Prime, stated supply from June 4, 1847 to 
December, 1849, when he retired in feeble 
health. 

Richard H. Steele, installed June 27, 1850. 



N. B. Ivlinck, ordained and installed Feb- 1 
ruary 21, 1854. '< 

David Tully, installed November 24, 1855. \ 
Dismissed to a church in New Jersey, Janu- 
ary I, 1867. 

Stephen Matoon, installed March i, 1867. ' 
Resigned December 20, 1869, to accept the 
Presidency of Biddell University, South Caro- j 
lina. 

Samuel A. Hayt, Jr., installed July 8, 1870. 

David Murdock, installed August, 1877. 

A. R. Olney, D. D., installed October 7, 
1881. 

Henry L. Teller, installed March 29, 1893. 

Arthur T. Young, installed March 15, 1904. 
Present pastor. 

The longest pastorates have been those of 
Dr. Olney, 11 years and 3 months; Dr. Tully, 
II years and i month; H. L. Teller, 10 years; 
Dr. Hayt, 7 years. 

Rev. Dr. Tully was Chaplain of the 77th 
Regiment (Bemis Heights Battalion), New 
York Volunteers, during the War of the Re- 
bellion. 

In its fiftieth year extensive improvements 
were made to the interior of the edifice, and a 
semi-centennial service was held on Sunday, 
June 6, 1885. At the morning service Dr. 
Prime preached the sermon, and was assisted 
in the service by Rev. Dr. Chester, of Buffalo, 
N. Y., the second pastor of the church, and 
Rev. A. R. Olney, the pastor. In the evening 
the Baptist and Methodist congregations 
united in the service. In the pulpit were Rev. 
W. T. C. Hanna, pastor of the Baptist church. 
Rev. W. H. Wasburne, pastor of the Metho- 
dist church, Rev. H. A. Lewis, pastor of the 
Ballston Centre church, Rev. A. R. Olney and 
Dr. Chester, who preached the sermon. All 
the pastors of the church were living at this 
time, and the church numbered 245 members. 

At the morning service Dr. Prime took for 
his text the tenth verse of the twenty-fifth 
chapter of Leviticus: "Ye shall hallow the 
fiftieth year." A more interesting history of 
the church and of its first pastor cannot be 
given than is to be found in this sermon. Af- 
ter stating some facts in relation to the or- 
ganization of the church, the names of the 
pastors, and of the first trustees and elders, 
Dr. Prime said, in part: 

"In the autumn of the year 1834 I came one 
evening to the village of Ballston Spa, and took 
lodgings for the night at the Sans Souci Hotel. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



85 



There was not at that time a person in the village 
or town whom I had ever seen before. I brought 
with me a letter of introduction from the Rev. James 
V. Henry, a former pastor of the old church at 
Ballston Centre, to Henry Doolittle, an elder of the 
newly formed church in the village. Mr. Watrous, 
the proprietor of the Sans Souci, the next morn- 
ing gave me the directions, and taking the railroad 
track as my guide, I walked down until I came 
to the cross-road which led me to the house of 
Mr. Doolittle. I was then nearly twenty-two 
years old, and being very juvenile in appearance, 
must have impressed him at once with the idea 
that I might well have tarried in Jerusalem until 
my beard was grown. We passed an hour or 
two in conversation, and then proceeded to visit 
families of the congregation. The next day I 
preached twice in the Court House, where the peo- 
ple were then worshipping. In the evening of that 
day I attended a prayer meeting in one of the other 
congregations, and heard an extraordinary ex- 
hortation from a colored woman who was celebrated 
for her vocal powers and fluency of speech. The 
next morning before nine o'clock I had made an 
engagement to supply the pulpit for six months, on 
a salary at the rale of $500 a year. At the expira- 
tion of that time I received a call to take the pas- 
toral charge, and was ordained and installed June 3, 
1835. The services were held in the Court House. 

"When the Presbytery of Albany were here as- 
sembled for my ordination, leave was given me to 
visit any of the churches for the purpose of solicit- 
ing donations towards building a church for this 
congregation. A subscription had been commenced 
among the people and about half the required sum 
had been secured. Armed with the recommendation 
of the Presbytery I started on my tour, not doubt- 
ing that I should in a few weeks raise the money. 
My first visit was to the largest rural congregation 
in the Presbytery. Having made my argument and 
appeal, I could not refrain from looking over the 
round pulpit, at whose edge I was sitting, to see 
how the money would flow into the plates as the 
collection was taken. The first man put in a large 
copper cent. The second man put in a large cop- 
per cent. I saw no more. The collection amounted 
to eleven dollars and a few cents. I returned to 
Ballston Spa the next day, called the officers to- 
gether, told them the tale of the two cents, and in- 
formed them th:it I had finished my career as a 
beggar. If there was any more money raised abroad 
they would raise it. The subscription was renewed, 
and each man gave half as much as he had previously 
given ; the house was built, the pews were sold, and 
the whole cost was paid. But for those two cents 
you might have been in debt to this day. 

"The first elders of the church, all of whom were 
in office when I came were Henry Doolittle, David 
Cory, Samuel Benton, Jonathan McBride and Isaac 
N. Beach. These were men of decided individuality; 
no two of them were alike, yet they were all good 
men, all loved this church as they loved an only 
child, and all gave time and labor most freely to it. 
The aflfection which they showed to me, their boy 
pastor, was something wonderful. They bore me 



on their hearts, and would have carried me back 
and forth to church in their arms if it had been 
needful. Instead of going on with this discourse, I 
would like to spend an hour in relating anecdotes 
of these venerable men, illustrating their gifts, graces 
and peculiarities. But that would be more enter- 
taining than edifying. 

"That first year of my ministry was one of great 
spiritual enjoyment and progress. The elders of 
the church and some others were enthusiastic in 
Christian work, and several days every week were 
given to visiting from house to House, with lectures 
and prayer meetings in the evening. It did not 
seem to me that there was any danger of my break- 
ing down, but in less than a year I was used up. 
The church building, of which I laid the corner 
stone in the early summer, was completed in the 
autumn and dedicated. I left the village the next 
day. After an absence of six months, when no pros- 
pect of good health appeared, I resigned the pas- 
torate, and was dismissed by the Presbytery. 

"After leaving Ballston I took charge of the 
Academy at Newburgh. Then I became pastor of the 
church in Matteawan, where I remained three years. 
Again total failure of health compelled me to 
abandon the pulpit. I wrote to my father that I 
must give up preaching, and he sent back this com- 
forting message : 'God help you, my son, you are 
fit for nothing else.' But in the spring of 1840 I 
became one of the editors of the New York Ob-, 
server, where, with the exception of a brief interval, 
I have continued to the present time, covering a term 
of forty-five years. 

"I have from the beginning of the half century 
set one single object before my mind as the grand 
purpose of life; it has governed my whole being, 
moral, intellectual and spiritual ; it has absorbed 
my aflfections; stimulated my ambition; exhausted 
my energies ; taxed my faculty of invention ; rising 
early and sitting up late; in travel abroad and study 
at home ; in public and private, in pulpit and the 
press, I have had this as my single purpose, and 
the chief end of life: not to win wealth or fame, but 
to be useful. Alas, and again alas ! that there is 
so little to show for it, and this half century has 
come so far short of the good purposes with which 
it was commenced." 

The closing words of the sermon were 
spoken with great pathos, thrilling the audi- 
ence, and visibly affecting the speaker him- 
self. And how prophetic his words in speak- 
ing of the former members of the church. 
Stepping from behind the desk, and advanc- 
ing to the edge of the platform, Dr. Prime 
said: 

"I have lived to be the longest in service of any 
editor of a secular or a religious newspaper in the 
city of New York. Of the Presbytery of New York 
into which I was received in 1840, I am the sole sur- 
vivor to-day. The ministers with whom I was early 
associated in Christian work, and with some of 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALl.STON SPA 



whom I formed the warmest friendships, are all with 
the prophets before the throne. 

"We a little longer wait, 
But how little none can know." 

"The remnant of life, be it long or short, shall 
be his, to whom Father, Son and Holy Spirit shall 
be glory in the Church throughout all ages. 

"There is a strange sensation as I finish these 
remarks ; the people to whom I ministered fifty 
years ago are not here; they may be listening within 









The Samuel Irenaeus Prime Memorial Window. 

the veil ; I see them not, but 1 shall see them again I 
Who is this coming up out of the wilderness, lean- 
ing on her beloved! It is the Church, the bride, 
the Lamb's wife — the sixty-six of the year 1835. 
O ! thou art fair, my love, my dove, my undefiled ; 
beautiful as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem: the king 
shall greatly desire tliy beauty, and thou shalt stand 
before Him not having any spot, or wrinkle or any 
such thing, for thy light has come, and the glory 
of the Lord has risen upon thee !" 

Dr. Prime became one of the leading men 
of the Presbyterian denomination. He also 
achieved distinction as an editor and as an 
author. His first sermons were to this con- 
gregation, and his sermon on this anniversary 



occasion was ahnost his last. The following 
Sunday he preached in the Second Presbyte- 
rian Church, Saratoga Springs. This was his 
last sermon. He died quite suddenly a few 
weeks later, on July 18, at Manchester, Vt., 
aged 73 years. He was born in the old par- 
sonage at Ballston Centre, November 4, 1812; 
graduated at Union College in 1829, and at 
Princeton Theological Seminary in 1833. He 
married Aliss Elouisa Williams, a daughter of 
Moses Williams, of this village, during his 
pastorate here. 

In October, 1886, a beautiful memorial win- 
dow was placed in the church, back of the 
pulpit, by Mrs. Prime, in remembrance of her 
deceased husband. The window represents 
the "Resurrection," after a famous etching by 
Albert Durer, the great German artist of the 
14th century. It is ten feet by six feet in di- 
mensions, the figure of Christ being nearly life 
size. Beneath the figure are the words of the 
text of Dr. Prime's last sermon: "Blessed 
are the pure in heart,' for they shall see God." 
The window is one of the largest and finest 
ever executed by the Tiffany Company, of 
Xew York. Its cost was $3,000. 

About 1855, Mr. Samuel H. Cook, a promi- 
nent member of the church, established a Sun- 
day School in a small building near his cotton 
factory on the Island, of which he was the 
Superintendent, the teachers coming from 
this church. In 1861, the school having out- 
grown its quarters, Mr. Cook built a large 
chape! on Milton avenue for the school. Af- 
ter the removal of Mr. Cook to Albany, in 
1866, the school was merged with the Sunday 
School of the church, and during the pastor- 
ate of Mr. Hayt the Sunday School and prayer 
meetings were transferred to the Chapel, 
where they have since been held. The present 
chapel, on the site of the Cook chapel, was 
built during the pastorate of Dr. Olney. 

The present officers of the church are : J. 
S. L'Amoreaux, Wm. Clement, P. A. Gil- 
christ, Jacob Gervin, E. T. McClew, Chas. H. 
Streever, Elders: J. S. L'Amoreaux, David 
Lewis, Augustus Raymond, A. I. Thayer, H. 
C. Reynolds, F. J. Rooney, Trustees. 

The parsonage is on the south side of High 
street, No. 76, two doors west of the County 
Clerk's office. It was purchased by the soci- 
ety March 10, 1856. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



87 



METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The itinerant system of the Methodist 
Church in olden times was a most efficient 
method of pioneer organization, and doubtless 
the "circuit rider," with his saddle-bags well 
supplied with bibles, testaments and religious 
tracts, and ready to hold a preaching or a 
prayer service, or to deliver an earnest ex- 
hortation whenever the opportunity offered, 
followed closely on the trail of the first set- 
tlers in this wilderness country. Of the work 
accomplished in the earliest years in this im- 
mediate locality, no record has been preserved, 
and it has been well said that "efforts to com- 
pile the early history of the Ballston Spa 
church recall the words of the Samaritan wo- 
man at the well, when she said: 'Sir, thou 
hast nothing to draw with, and the well is 

deep.'" ^ ^ . 

The first record of the Saratoga bprmgs 
Circuit is in the year 1791. There is no rec- 
ord of the Ballston Spa Circuit until 1823, 
when Saratoga Springs and Ballston Spa were 
together in one Circuit, but as Ballston during 
the greater part of this period was a larger 
town than Saratoga, there can be no doubt 
that David Kendall, the pastor in charge, in- 
cluded Ballston Spa in his circuit, and organ- 
ized "classes" and held services here, although 
no record is to be found. In 1823 William An- 
son and Elisha P. Jacobs were preachers in 
charge of the Saratoga Springs and Ballston 
Circuit. 

July 6, 1836, a number of Methodists met at 
the Court House and organized a society un- 
der the name of the "First Methodist Episco- 
pal Society of Ballston Spa. N. Y." They 
elected Rev. Henry Stead, Calvin Calkins, 
Samuel Hicks. Ebenezer Jones. Clement 
Patchin, Roswell Clark and Asa Beach as the 
first board of trustees. 

For some years prior to this time, the in- 
habitants of the village and of the surround- 
ing country, of the Methodist persuasion, had 
been worshipping in "The Academy" on 
Galway street. The newly organized church, 
which ' numbered eighteen members, in the 
month of August, bought "The Academy' 
building and removed it to a lot purchased of 
Reuben Westcot, at the corner of High and 
Charlton streets. This building was occupied 
by the Society until the year 1845. when a 
new church was erected on Milton avenue, on 



the site of the present church. The old build- 
ing was sold to the Catholic Society. 

The Ballston Spa charge continued as a part 
of the Saratoga Springs Circuit vmtil 1840, 
when the Greenfield and Ballston Circuit was 
formed, with D. Poor, J. P. Foster and J. Har- 
wood as preachers. This Circuit continued 
one year. In June, 1841, the Malta and Balls- 
ton Spa Circuit was formed, including East 
Line, Malta Ridge, Eddy's Corners, ^Court 




Methodist Church erected in 1845. 

House Hill and Ballston Spa, wi^th Joel 
Squires, preacher in charge, Richard T. Wade, 
assistant, and William Anson, superannuate. 
In the spring of 1842. Rev. Elias Crawford, 
one of the Circuit preachers, became a resi- 
dent of Ballston Spa. He was the first Meth- 
odist minister to make his home here. In 1843 
Mr. Crawford and Elias Noble, were the 
preachers in charge, and in 1844 Rev. Cyrus 
Meeker was appointed preacher in charge of 
the Circuit. 



88 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



In the autumn of 1844 the church decided 
to build a house of worship on Milton avenue. 
At the annual meeting in 1845, for some rea- 
son which does not appear, the entire board of 
trustees resigned. A new board was elected, 
consisting of R. R. Kennedy, J. D. Hodgman, 
P. H. McOmber, Z. H. Cook, Arnold Harris, 
Jonathan S. Beach and James W. Horton. Of 
these P. H. McOmber, Arnold Harris and 
Jonathan S. Beach were Presbyterians, and 
James W. Horton a Senior Warden of Christ 
(Episcopal) Church, but they consented to 
act as Trustees of the Methodist Church. The 
new church was completed and dedicated the 
same year. Rev. Jesse T. Peck, D. D., preach- 
ing the dedicatory sermon. 

In 1848 H. L. Starks was appointed preach- 
er in charge, and H. Williams, assistant. 

In 1849 two preachers were appointed to 
the Circuit, Revs. H. L. Starks and R. Griffin. 

At the annual meeting of the Troy Confer- 
ence in 1850, the Ballston Spa Church was 
made an independent station, and Rev. John 
Barnard was assigned to the pastorate. The 
church at this time had a membership of 103, 
and 12 probationers, and a Sunday School of 
forty scholars. 

From this time, 1850, down to the present, 
1907, the pastors of the church have been : 

Thomas Lodge, 1851. 
Jacob Leonard, 1852 to 1854. 
Timothy Benedict, 1854 to 1856. 
N. G. Axtell, 1856 to 1858. 
Washington I. Pond, 1858 lo 1859.- 
Hannibal H. Smith, 1S59 to 1861. 
Robert Fox, 1861 to 1863. 
James M. Edgerton, 1863 to 1866. 
O. J. Squires, 1866 to 1868. 
Rodman H. Robinson, 1868 to 1871. 

D. P. Hulburd, 1871 to 1872. 
B. B. Loomis, 1S72 to 1875. 

In 1875 George W. Brown became pastor, 
and during liis second year he was transferred 
to the Central Illinois Conference, and Rev. 
R. H. Robinson filled out the year. Dr. Rob- 
inson continued as pastor until 1879. 

Heniy W. Slocum, 1879 to 1880. 

John H. Coleman, 1880 to 1882. 

George A. Barrett, 1882 to 1883. 

William H. Washbume, 1883 to 1886. 

E. P. Stevens, 1886 to 1889. 
Joseph Zweifel, 1889 to 1892. 



J. C. Russum, 1892 to 1895. 
Charles L. Hall, 1895 to 1898. 
W. W. Cox, 1898 to 1901. 
Milford H. Smith, 1901 to 1906. 
Henry S. Rowe, 1906. Present pastor. 

During the closing year of the pastorate of 
Rev. J. M. Egerton the greatest revival in the 
history of the church occurred. The revival 
began with the coming of the "Troy Praying 
Band," a company of devoted Christian lay- 
men of Troy and Albany, organized by Joseph 
Hillman for religious work, and for many 
years a great power in the Troy Conference. 
The "Praying Band" conducted the services 
every evening for two weeks or more, the 
church, with its large galleries on three sides, 
being crowded at every service. More than 
two hundred professed conversion and the 
work continued into the next pastorate. The 
audience room of the church was repaired and 
greatly beautified during this pastorate, Mr. 
Edgerton, who was not only a good preacher, 
but a fine artist, doing the frescoing and deco- 
rating in a masterly style. 

The church was enlarged in 1868 by the ad- 
dition of twenty feet at the rear, to accommo- 
date the constantly increasing congregation, 
the membership at this time being reported as 
268; probationers, 26; Sunday School, 237. 

In 1872, the first year of the pastorate of 
Rev. B. B. Loomis, a parsonage was built ad- 
joining the church on the north and rear. At 
the close of his pastorate, Mr. Loomis re- 
ported 315 members and loi probationers. 

In the winter of 1882, the pastor. Rev. 
George A. Barrett, united with Revs. A. R. 
Olney of the Presbyterian church and W. T. 
C. Hanna, of the Baptist church, in a series of 
union services, which resulted in a great re- 
ligious awakening, and large numbers were 
added to each of the three churches. Pastor 
Barrett also succeeded in paying off the 
churcli debt, and the property was freed from 
all incumbrances for the first time since the 
church was built in 1845. 

In the second year of the pastorate of W. H. 
Washburne, Hon. George West built a chapel, 
for Sunday School and othen services, on 
South street, and presented it as a gift to the 
church. Sunday School and week-day ser- 
vices have been held regularly in this chapel 
to the present time. At this time the total 
membership was reported as 425. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



89 



In the last year of Mr. Zweifel's pastorate, 
the project of a new church edifice was start- 
ed, and through his efforts $6,500 were 
pledged, Hon. George West agreeing to pay 
one dollar for every dollar paid by the rest of 
the people, provided that the society would 
raise at least $10,000. In 1892 Rev. J. C. Rus- 
sum became pastor, and taking up the work 
where Mr. Zweifel left it, he carried it 
through to ultimate success. 

The last services were held in the old. 
church on Sunday, September 11, 1892, and 
the next day the work of demolishing the 
building at'.d the parsonage was begun. While 
the new church was building, the congrega- 
tion worshipped in Odd Fellows' Hall. The 
corner-stone of the new edifice was laid Oc- 
tober 19, 1892, and on Sunday, December 17, 
1893, the dedication took place. At the morn- 
ing service Bishop John P. Newman preached 
the dedicatory sermon, and in the evening Rev. 
John H. Coleman, a former pastor, was the 
preacher. In a history of the church com- 
piled by Rev. M. H. Smith, he says: "The 
building of this large and beautiful church 
was made possible through the large-hearted 
generosity of Hon. George West. His sub- 
scription, which covered one-half of the entire 
cost was more than paid." The total cost was 
about $30,000. 

Mr. West died in 1901, the first year of the 
pastorate of Rev. Milford H. Smith. In his 
will, executed September 11, 1893, when the 
new church was approaching completion, he 
bequeathed to the Methodist Society the sum 
of $5,000, in trust, the interest to be applied 
to church and Sunday School expenses. Mr. 
Smith continued as pastor for five years, and 
was the first and only pastor who has served 
continuously for more than three years. 

Rev. Henry S. Rowe is the present pastor, 
and is now serving his second year. 

The parsonage of the church is on Malta 
avenue. No. 126, and was also a gift to the 
church from Hon. George West, who pur- 
chased the property in 1896, placed it in com- 
plete repair, and deeded it to the church for a 
consideration of one dollar. The cost of the 
property was about $5,000. 

The present trustees afe M. J. Esmond, R. 
L. Carter, C. H. Brownell, Fred Armer, C. E. 
Foote, Secretary. 



ST. mark's church. 

The first Catholic service held in the vil- 
lage was probably the celebration of mass 
more than a century ago in the ball-room of 
the Sans Souci, by Archbishop Carroll, the 
first bishop of America, who was a visitor 
here. After that there is no record until 1834, 
when Father Kelly, a brother of Eugene Kelly, 
a banker of New York City, celebrated mass 
in Ballston Spa. 

From 1834 to 1840 Rev. Father Peter Hav- 
ermans, of Troy, visited the Catholic families 
residing in this locality, holding the services 
of the church at their houses. June 2nd, 1840, 
he purchased from Samuel Hides a plot of 
ground on Ballston street, adjoining the vil- 
lage cemetery on the south, for a burying 
ground, and it was consecrated with the cus- 
tomary rites of the church. 

Father Havermans continued his pastoral 
visits, and when, in 1843, R^v- Father An- 
thony Farley was made the first pastor of St. 
Peter's parish at Saratoga Springs, he also 
made occasional visits to this village, holding 
services in the homes of the few Catholics 
then residing here. 

March 10, 1847, Father Havermans pur- 
chased the old Academy building at the corner 
of High and Charlton streets, which had been 
removed to that location and remodeled into 
a meeting-house in 1836 by the Methodist So- 
ciety. This purchase was brought about 
largely through the efforts of Mrs. Spaulding, 
a wealthy Baltimorean who was living in the 
town of Ballston, near the present Henry Har- 
rison farm. Mrs. Spaulding collected some 
money from the few Catholics residing in the 
town and village, giving the remainder of the 
purchase price herself. She also donated an 
organ, and was herself the organist. The 
first mass was celebrated in this chapel on Ash 
Wednesday in the year 1849, by Father Hav- 
ermans, and regularly thereafter once in three 
months. 

The successors of Dr. Farley in St. Peter's 
parish at Saratoga Springs were Rev. F. Don- 
ahue, Rev. Bernard Van Reeth and Rev. 
Thomas Daly. They exercised pastoral su- 
pervision over the Ballston parish and held 
regular services here. In 1850 Rev. Daniel 
Cull succeeded Father Daly, and was assisted 
by Father Lowery. Under the administration 




St. Mary's Church, 1907. 



ST. MARY'S— 1860. 
(Now St. Mary's Hall ) 



Rev. Father McDooough. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



91 



of Father Cull ground was purchased on the 
east side of Church avenue, a little south of 
McMaster street, and in December, 1859, the 
corner-stone of a large church edifice was 
laid. The church was completed and dedi- 
cated the following year by Bishop McClos- 
key. Until the year 1867 the Ballston church 
was considered a part of St. Peter's parish. 

In 1867 St. Mary's parish was separated 
from St. Peter's, and became an independent 
and self-sustaining parish. Rev. Father An- 
drew McGeough was the first resident pastor, 
and remained in charge until 1873. when he 
was relieved by the Bishop at his own request, 
and returned to his native land. 

Following Father McGeough came Rever- 
end Father Edward Bayard, who remained as 
pastor until 1878, when Reverend Father Ber- 
nard J. McDonough was assigned to the pas- 
torate. For almost thirty years this gentleman 
has gone in and out before his people, seem- 
ingly having the care of every individual mem- 
ber of his parish on his mind. Almost with 
his coming he conceived the idea of a better 
location and a new church for his parish. 
He sold the parsonage and church lot to Mr. 
Douw F. Winney, and in May, 1879, pur- 
chased the George Thompson homestead at 
the corner of Milton avenue and Van Buren 
street, with Thompson street on the west, pay- 
ing therefor $10,500. 

The church building on Church avenue was 
removed in sections and re-erected on the new 
parish property, being located at the corner 
of Van Buren and Thompson streets, the 
Milton avenue corner being reserved for the 
new church which had already begun to as- 
sume definite proportions in the mind of Fa- 
ther McDonough. Patiently, through sum- 
mers' heat and winters' cold, he applied himself 
to the herculean task of amassing a fund large 
enough to erect such a church as would meet 
the growing demands of his parish. And 
nobly was he seconded in his efforts by the 
members of his congregation. 

At last the time arrived which was to see 
the fruition of his efforts, and on July 29, 
1895, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Father 
Mcbonough's ordination to the priesthood, 
Mr. Dennis Manogue commenced the laying 
of the foundation walls of the new church. 
The plans were drawn by Architect Loth, of 
Troy, and the contract for erecting the edifice 



was awarded to Mr. Manogue, a builder in 
Ballston, and a member of St. Mary's church. 

The corner-stone was laid May 3, 1896, by 
Right Reverend Bishop T. M. A. Burke, D.D., 
of Albany, and on Sunday, October 17, 1897, 
Bishop Burke dedicated the completed edifice. 

The imposing structure which now stands 
at the corner of Milton avenue and Van Buren 
street, is the largest church edifice in the vil- 
lage, and one of the finest in Northern New 
York. It was completed at a cost of $45,000, 
and stands a splendid monument of the faith- 
ful labors of the present pastor. Father Mc- 
Donough. 

The parochial residence adjoins the church 

on the north. 

St. Mary's Cemetery is located on Church 
avenue. It was purchased in 1865, and con- 
secrated with the rites of the church. 

PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH. 

The Protestant ^^lethodist Church at Balls- 
ton Spa was organized in 1858, and in 1859 
the society erected a large frame meeting- 
house at the westerly corner of South and 
Centre streets. Rev. j. M. Ashley was pastor, 
and commenced holding services in the new 
church Julv 3, 1859, and on August 28, at 3 
o'clock in the afternoon, Mrs. Ashley, wife of 
the pastor, conducted the service, and also 
preached the sermon. This is all the record 
that can be found relating to this church. It 
had an existence of less than five years, and 
the meeting-house was taken down in 1862. 

SPIRITLWLIST SOCIETY. 

Spiritualism at one time had secured a con- 
siderable following in Ballston Spa. Promi- 
nent in this society were Benjamin J. Barber, 
Samuel Hides and' John Brotherson. In 1876 
Mr. Barber, who was a builder, erected for 
the society a hall on Bath street, which would 
accommodate a congregation of about two 
hundred. It was named "Centennial Hall." 
x^fter about ten years it was practically aban- 
doned, and is now used as a storehouse by the 
American Hide and Leather Company. 

THE GEIL MEETINGS. 

The history of the Ballston churches would 
be incomplete if reference was not made to 
the great revival in the month of March, 
1895, known as the "Geil Meetings." The 



92 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



meetings were lield in the Opera House, the 
Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches 
uniting in the work. Rev. William E. Geil, 
of Pennsylvania, a young man, and an evan- 
gelist of great power, conducted the meet- 
ings. Cottage prayer meetings were held for 
several weeks before the services in the Opera 
House opened. A splendid gospel choir of 
eighty voices was organized, and on the even- 
ing of the opening service the Opera House 
was crowded, and so continued through the 
entire two weeks. A Sunday afternoon ser- 
vice for men only, filled the house to overflow- 
ing. Services were also held in the churches 
in the afternoons. Mr. Geil was a man of fine 
presence, wonderful magnetism, and a preach- 
er of remarkable force and originality. He is 
still engaged in evangelistic work, and since 
his Ballston meetings has visited almost every 
country on the globe, conducting revival ser- 
vices with marked success. The pastors, 
Revs. Johnson, Teller and Russum, and many 
laymen, labored zealously in the meetings, 
and more than three hundred professed con- 
version. 



THE SCHOOLS. 

The earliest school of which any record can 
be found was opened about 1803, and was 
kept in the Baptist church, which was built in 
that year. This school was started through 
the combined efforts of Revs. Elias Lee and 
Elisha P. Langworthy. It was a public school 
and was discontinued on the building of "The 
Academy" in 1811. 

PUBLIC SCHOOL. 

At a meeting of the village trustees held 
April 24, 181 1, it was voted to raise the sum 
of $1,400 '"by a ta.K on the inhabitants and free- 
holders of this village to be appropriated at 
the discretion of the Trustees for defraying 
the expense of erecting a school house in the 
said village suitable and convenient for a com- 
mon school." Nicholas Low, with his ac- 
customed liberality and public spirit made a 
gift of the land required, and the large two- 
story building so long known as "The Acad- 
emy" was erected the same year. It was lo- 
cated on the south side of Galway street, at 
the head of a new street which was opened 
from Front street to provide ready access to 
the new school, the street receiving the ap- 
propriate name of Science street. The first 



teacher was Mr. Blain, who taught the school 
for two years. Mr. Gunnison was his suc- 
cessor in the fall of 1813, and announced 
in a village paper that an evening school would 
be opened in November in "The Academy." 
The public school occupied the ground 
floor, and continued to be held in this place 
until 1836. No record can be found of the 
teachers who succeeded Mr. Gunnison. 

"the academy." 

In the summer of 1812, a number of promi- 
nent citizens organized the "Milton Union 
School," to teach the "Academic, or higher 
branches." The second story of) the new 
school building was secured, and in the month 
of September "The Academy" opened with 
Rev. Darius Oliver Griswold, a graduate of 
Williams College, as Principal. Mr. Gris- 
wold remained for one year, when he removed 
to Saratoga Springs, and in 1816 organized 
the First Presbyterian church in that village. 
An advertisement in the Saratoga Journal of 
July 5, 1815, published in Ballston Spa, says: 
"The Milton L^nion School is at present under 
the superintendence of Mr. Samson, late pre- 
ceptor of Ballston Academy,' and Mr. Bliss, 
associate teacher, graduates of Middlebury 
College. The advantages for acquiring a 
classical education are not inferior to any 
other similar institution. Languages and 
higher mathematics, per quarter, $4.50; Eng- 
lish studies, per quarter, $3.25. Alpheus 
Goodrich, Clerk." This school was main- 
tained until 1825.- 

"ballston spa female seminary." 

In December, 1823, Lebbens Booth, Prin- 
cipal of the Albany Female Academy, a 
flourishing school, purchased a lot of six acres 
on the southeast corner of High and Balls- 
ton streets and erected a large building on 
the eastern half of the premises for his 
Ladies' Seminary.^ Delicate health com- 

'Located in the town of Ballston, at Academy Hill. 

'The opening of Mr. Booth's Female Seminary, 
and the announcement that Dr. Babcock, who be- 
came Rector of Christ Church in 1824, would in- 
struct young men in the classics wefe the causes 
which led to the discontinuance of "The Academy." 

"The Seminary lot included the present premises 
of Mrs. Samuel Smith, H. Vassar Haight and Frank 
C. Herrick. The Seminary building was divided 
a few years ago, and remodeled into the cottages 
now owned by Mr. Herrick and Mr. Haight, the 
Herrick residence standing in its original location. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



93 



pelled Mr. Booth to choose a country hfe, 
and he located in Ballston Spa as an ideal 
place for his home and school. The Semin- 
ary opened on September 27, 1824. Day 
scholars were admitted, although it was a 
boarding school. Twenty-eight of his old 
pupils came with him from Albany. The 
school was a great success from its opening 
day. Mr. Booth was a graduate of Union 
College, and also of Princeton Theological 
Seminary, where he studied for the Presby- 
terian ministry, but he was never ordained. 
A man of broad culture and a rarely gifted 
teacher, he was perfectly at home on every 
subject he was teaching, and never took a 
text book into class. An old resident of Balls- 
ton once said : "The greatest boom this town 
ever had was when Lebbeus Booth opened his 
Seminary here ; it changed the whole charac- 
ter of the village." Failing health compelled 
him to give up his profession of teacher, and 
in 1835 the Seminary was closed. He re- 
tained his home here until his death, Decem- 
ber 16, 1859, in his seventieth year. 

In its report of the seventh anniversary of 
the Saratoga County Agricultural Society, 
held in Ballston Spa, October 12, 1825, the 
Ballston Spa Gazette says : 

"The Viewing Committee reported as follows: 
'During our interesting tour of inspection, our 
labors were pleasingly cheered and diversified by a 
short visit to the Female Seminary at Ballston Spa, 
on the polite invitation of its principal, Mr. Booth, 
to attend a public examination of the pupils of that 
valuable institution, which took place at that time. 
When we consider the solid instruction in useful 
and rational learning obtained by Young Ladies at 
this important school, we congratulate our enter- 
prising Young Farmers on the location, in the 
heart of our county, of such a promising nursery 
for rational and agreeable companions, and in- 
structive mothers for a succeeding generation." 

BALLSTON SP.^ INSTITUTE. 

Rev. Deodatus Babcock, rector of Christ 
Church, opened a classical school for young 
men about the year 1825, which he continued 
until 1846, when 'this announcement appeared 
in the Ballston Journal of May 8th : "Ballston 
Spa Institute — A Classical and English 
School for Boys. Rev. D. Babcock, Rector; 
Theodore Babcock, A.M., and J. H. Bab- 
cock, A.B., assistants. This school is now 
open in the well-known Aldridge House." In 
1856 Rev. N. J. Seely and Prof. C. D. Seely 



purchased the property of Dr. Babcock, and 
continued the "Institute," Prof. C. D. Seely 
becoming sole principal in 1859. He con- 
tinued the school as a Military Academy for 
about five years. 

An aged resident of Charlton attended the 
examination at the Institute in June, 1849, 
and was so pleased with the exercises that 
he wrote a long poem extolling the institution. 
The poem appeared in the Journal of July 3. 
We copy the opening and closing stanzas: 

"In Spa's romantic, gladsome ville. 
With banks and dales and many a hill, 
Where healing waters erst did give 
To sinking life new strength to live ; 
Beside a lovely, purling stream, 
That winds its way through valleys green. 
There stands the Institute for youth. 
The seat of learning and of truth. 
***** 
This Institute whose well-earned fame 
A reverend sire and sons sustain, 
Gives promise — not far hence the date. 
To rank not least among the great; 
And future smiling years shall show 
What labors well bestowed can do; 
And future statesmen here shall rise; 
And bards whose fame shall reach the skies." 

BALLSTON SPA ACADEMY. 

Rev. James Gilmour opened the Ballston 
Spa Academy, a boarding and day school for 




Gilmour's Academy, 1665. 

boys and young men, on September 13, 1855. 
For the first year Rev. David Tully was as- 
sociate Principal. The school was located on 
Pleasant street, where the residence of Mr. 
Gordon McCreedy now stands. Mr. Gil- 
mour had erected a large two-story build- 
ing, admirably adapted for school purposes. 
Among the teachers in this Academy was the 
late Hon. Neil Gilmour, a brother of the Prin- 
cipal, and who in later years held the office of 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction for 
nine years. For eleven years "Gilmour's 



94 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSION SPA 



Academy was one of the prominent educa- 
tional institutions of the county, and main- 
tained a high degree of excellence. The 
Academy was destroyed by fire on Sunday 
afternoon, March 12, 1865. Mr. Gilmour at 
once re-built, materially increasing the size 
of the building, and re-opened his school early 
in the fall. This building was also burned to 
the ground on the evening of October 25, 
1866. Mr. Gilmour decided not to rebuild, 
and one of the best schools Ballston ever had 
ceased to exist. 

DISTRICT SCHOOLS. 

"The Academy" was sold to the newly or- 
ganized Methodist Church in 1836, and re- 
moved to the corner of High and Charlton 
streets. Two District School Houses were 
built the same year, one on the south side of 
High street, between Ballston and Charlton 
streets, and a large two-story building on 
Milton avenue, at the corner of Hamilton 
street, where the St. Charles Hotel now stands. 
The district schools continued to be held in 
these buildings until the erection of the Bath 
street school building in 1874. 

In November, 1871, an Academic Depart- 
ment was established in the Armory, with 
Rev. Mr. Davies as principal. In April, 1872, 
Thomas C. Bunyan was appointed principal 
of the Academic department, with his sister, 
Miss Agnes Bunyan, as assistant. "This was 
the beginning of the long, energetic, and hon- 
orable career of that gentleman as Principal of 
the schools, and the steady advance of edu- 
cation in this village." His term of splendid 
service extended over a period of twenty 
years. 

UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT, NUMBER ONE. 

In 1872 the Legislature passed an Act in- 
corporating "Union School District Number 
One, Milton," the territory comprising the 
village of Ballston Spa. In 1874 the Bath 
street building was completed and furnished 
at a cost of $23,400, and was opened with 
the fall term on September 14, 1874. 

In 1882, to accommodate the increasing 
number of pupils, the South street school 
house was built, and first used in December 
of that year. Its cost was about $8,000. 

In 1891 the crowded condition of the 
schools compelled the trustees to hire and 



furnish rooms outside the school buildings. 
In 1892 Principal Bunyan resigned, and re- 
moved to Berthoud, Colorado, where he has 
to the present time been engaged in the bank- 
ing business. His successor was Principal ■ 
H. H. South wick, who continued in charge f I 
for five years, resigning on June 7, 1897, to 
become one of the faculty of the State Nor- 
mal School at Plattsburg. The third Prin- 
cipal was Mr. L. L. Landers, who remained 
one year. The fourth Principal, A. A. Lavery, 
the present incumbent, was elected May 12, 
1898. 

The following year the erection of the 
High School building on Malta avenue was 
commenced, and in September, 1900, the High 
School, Grammar Grades and Training Class 
began the school year in the new building. 
One large room in the building contains the 
Public Library, and another is used for a 
Museum, in which there has already been col- 
lected a large number of rare and interesting 
curios. This edifice with its furnishings 
cost about $40,000. Ballston's equipment for 
educational purposes represents an outlay in 
round numbers of $70,000. 

Since 1896 the schools have been under 
the care of the Regents of the University of 
the State of New York : having been duly 
registered and chartered March 19, 1896. 
During the incumbency of Principal Lavery 
the schools of Ballston Spa have attained a 
high degree of efficiency and rank as among 
the best in the State. 

OTHER SCHOOLS. 

The first private school of which there is 
any record was opened by Miss Pitkin, May 
2, 1814. The large number and the uncom- 
mon character of some of the branches taught 
are decidedly interesting. The notice, as it 
appeared in one of the village papers, follows : 

"Ladies' School.— Miss Pitkin will open a school 
for young ladies on Monday, the 2d of May, at 
Ballston Springs, where will be taught the following 
branches, viz : Reading, writing and grammar, 
history, geography, with the use of maps and globes. 
Plain sewing, marking and muslin work; delinea- 
tion of maps ; drawing and painting on paper, silk 
and wood ; tamboring, print work, embroidery, fil- 
igree and rice work ; basket, paper, temple and shell 
work ; artificial flowers and wax work. Terms of 
tuition from $1.50 to $8 per quarter. Gilding and 
Japaning, $15 ; velvet painting, $5. Ballston Spa, 
April 9, 1814." 





BATH STREET SCH« h )L. 







i^ 


db 


m^ 




j». 




11 1 


^^ 1 





HIGH SCHOOL, MALTA AVENUE. 





SOUTH STREET SCHOOI/. 



96 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Evidently in the early days something more 
than the study of "the three R's" was con- 
sidered essential to complete the education of 
a young lady. 

"The Academic School" was opened April 
12, 1847, with Charles Taylor Harris, princi- 
pal, and J. Hiram Champion, assistant. As 
its name indicates it taught the classical and 
higher English branches. 

Albert A. Moor, who later became the edi- 
tor and proprietor of the Ballston Journal, 
opened a "Select School" in the Mansion 
House, opposite the Clerk's office on Front 
street. 

^^ February 26, 1849, J- O. Nodyne opened an 
"English and Classical School" for young 
ladies, misses and boys. 

A school for music, drawing and French, 
was opened May i, 1849, by the Mmes. Vas- 
sas, from Paris. 

A. M. White, principal, and his sister, Miss 
M. E. White, had an English and Classical 
school in 1849 and 1850, styled the "Acad- 
emic School." 

Rev. W. E. Waterbury opened a boarding 
and day school for young ladies January 3, 
1859, in the house known as the John W. Tay- 
lor mansion, on West High street, now the 
home of John Brown. The school was dis- 
continued the following year. 

The Parish School of Christ Church was 
instituted in May, 1850, during the rector- 
ship of Rev. George Jarvis Geer, and placed 
under the care of Miss Mary R. Smith, who 
conducted the school for more than thirty 
years with excellent success. An advertise- 
ment in the Ballston Journal of December 
28, 1850, says: "This school has specially in 
view the thorough education of young ladies 
and misses." 

The State and National Law School was 
opened in the Sans Souci in 1849 by John W. 
Fowler, and had a brief but brilliant career of 
about five years. 

In 1863 Rev. D. W. Smith purchased the 
San Souci, and removed his Ladies' Seminary 
from Galway to Ballston Spa, and for four 
years conducted a large and flourishing school. 
There have been many other private day 
schools, some of which will be recalled by 
residents of the village. Among these were 
the schools of Misses Sarah J. and Mary H. 
Watrous in 1841; Misses Sears in 1846^7-8- 



9; Misses Freeman in 185 1-2; Miss Eveline 
Tryon, Mrs. Mary Lawrence, Miss Eliza 
Wakeman, Miss Harriet Nims, Miss Mary 
Waterbury, Miss Creamer, Nelson L. Ro^, 
M. Williamson, Miss Meda James and Miss 
Charlotte Newton. 



SOCIETIES. 

MASONIC LODGES. 

With the earliest settlers in Balls-town 
came many Freemasons. The membership 
roll of the first Masonic Lodge, now in the 
possession of Franklin Lodge, of Ballston 
Spa, contains the names of many men promi- 
nent in the new settlement. On this roll we 
find Beriah Palmer, Edward A. Watrous, 
Hezekiah Middlebrook, Titus Watson, Wil- 
liam Bettys, Thaddeus Scribner, Caleb Ben- 
edict, Seth C. Baldwin, Rev. Ammi Rogers, 
Salmon Tryon, Micajah Benedict, Benajah 
Douglas, John Taylor, James Merrill, Miles 
Beach, Thomas Palmer, James Emmott, David 
and James McMaster, Samuel Cook, Samuel 
Young and David Rogers. 

In 1794 a number of Masons held a meet- 
ing in the town of Ballston for the purpose 
of forming a Lodge, and on the i6th of May, 
in the same year, the Grand Lodge of the 
State of New York granted a charter to 
Franklin Lodge, No. ^y, to be located in the 
town of Ballston. The first officers of this 
Lodge were: Beriah Palmer, Master; John 
Taylor, Senior Warden; Henry Corl, Junior 
Warden. 

Meetings were held for two or three years 
at the residence of one of the members at 
Ballston Centre. The society then built a 
hall which stood on the south-east corner of 
the present parsonage lot at Ballston Centre. 
The Lodge occupied the second floor of this 
building until 1830, when the "Lodge stopped 
work under the great Morgan excitement." 
The warrant was forfeited and never revived. 
In the year 1804 members of the fraternity 
met at the residence of William Boss, at Mil- 
ton Hill, and organized a Lodge which re- 
ceived a charter from the Grand Lodge March 
22, 1805, with the title of Friendship Lodge, 
No. 118. The first officers of this Lodge 
were: Rowland Green, Master; Asa Chat- 
field, Senior Warden; John Gillis, Junior 
Warden. 



II 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



On the roll of this Lodge we find the names 
of Samuel Smith, Eli Barnum, Miles Beach, 
Amos Allcott, Moses Williams, Samuel Free- 
man, Stephen Seaman and Lyman B. Lang- 
worthy. Meetings were held at Milton Hill 
until January, 1821, when the Lodge removed 
to Ballston Spa. For three years meetings 
were held at the McMaster house, when lodge 
rooms were fitted up in the Village Inn (now 
Medbery's Hotel) of Brother William Clark, 
and regular communications were held in 
these rooms until 1835, when, during the Mor- 
gan excitement, the charter was surrendered. 

For a period of seven years the only Ma- 
sonic Body in the village was Warren Chapter. 
At the annual session of the Grand Lodge in 
1841, William Saunders and others petitioned 
that body to renew, by special enactment, the 
charter of Franklin Lodge, No. 37. This 
could not be done, but in 1842, a charter was 
granted to constitute a Lodge, to be located 
in Ballston Spa, under the title of Franklin 
Lodge, No. 90, F. & A. M., of which William 
Saunders was to be the first Master ; William 
Hawkins, Senior Warden ; Joseph Jennings, 
Junior Warden. The property of old Frank- 
lin Lodge was returned to the new Lodge. 
Nearly all the members of old Franklin and 
of old Friendship Lodges became members of 
Franklin Lodge, No. 90. 

This Lodge has maintained its regular 
communications until the present time. From 
1842 to 1845 the meetings were held in the 
rooms at the Village Hotel. In 1845 hand- 
some rooms were fitted up on the third floor, 
in the south part of the new George Thomp- 
son building, now owned by S. Gould, corner 
of Front and Bath streets. In 1861 the Lodge 
removed to more commodious quarters on the 
third floor of the building which stood on the 
site of H. Frank's store, on Milton avenue, 
and ten years later removed to the third floor 
of the building now owned by Sanford Briggs, 
on Front street. For more than twenty years 
past the Lodge has occupied very handsome 
rooms in the Close building on Front street. 

The brethren who have occupied the chair 
of Worshipful Master in Franklin Lodge, No. 
90, are: William Saunders, William Haw- 
kins, Joseph Jennings, Abel Meeker, Selden 
A. Emerson, Reuben Westcot, Harvev N. 
Hill, George Babcock, George Millham, 
George W. Ingalls, Simeon H. Drake, Per- 



cival G. Newcomb, Graham Pulver, Seth 
Whalen, Benjamin Allen, Jonathan S. Smith, 
Albert J. Reid, Edward F. Grose, C. Fred 
Wheeler, Frank Jones, David Frisbie, David 
H. Winne, George W. Maxon, William 
Spencer, Albert P. Miller, Henry C. Hale, 
Fred W. Watts, John Keyes, Louis J. Brown. 

The officers for 1907 are : Louis J. Brown, 
worshipful master; Fred S. Streever, senior 
warden ; H. Montrose Medbery, junior war- 
den; Herbert C. Westcot, treasurer; Robert 
C. Pierson, secretary ; Fred J. Rooney, sen- 
ior deacon; Howard Armer, junior deacon; 
J. Franklin Kilmer, George West, masters of 
ceremonies ; Fred Armer, chaplain ; Edward 
F. Grose, organist ; William Spencer, tiler. 

Warren Chapter, No. 23, Royal Arch Ma- 
sons, was organized April 4, 1808, and a 
charter was granted February 9, 1809, with 
Eliakim Cory as first High Priest; George 
H. Benham, King; Jonathan Kellogg, Scribe. 
Since 1821, when Friendship Lodge removed 
to Ballston Spa, the meetings of the Chapter 
have been held in the rooms of the Lodge. 

The following brethren have served as 
Most Excellent High Priest : Eliakim Cory, 
William Anthony, Amos Allcott, Nathan 
Worden, Philo Hurd, William Hawkins, Wil- 
liam Hawkins, Jr., Jonathan Edgecomb, Isaac 
Tallman, William A. Clark, Lyman B. 
Langworthy, John Dix, Reuben Westcot, Abel 
Meeker, Harvey N. Hill, Jesse S. L'Amoreaux, 
Graham Pulver, Jonathan S. Smith, George E. 
Terry, Edward F. Grose, William Spencer, 
Henry C. Hale. 

The officers for 1907 are Henry C. Hale, 
high priest; H. Montrose Medbery, king; 
Charles P. Rooney, scribe ; Fred S. Streever, 
captain of the host; Fred W. Watts, principal 
sojourner ; James E. Gates, royal arch captain ; 
Fred J. Rooney. Louis J. Brown, Stephen 
Dunn, masters of the veils ; Frank R. Wilson, 
treasurer ; Robert C. Pierson, secretary ; Wil- 
liam Spencer, sentinel. 

Franklin Star Chapter, No. 369, Order of 
the Eastern Star, was instituted October 6, 
1905. The chapter has fifty members, and 
holds its meetings in Masonic Hall. The 
present officers are Mrs. Estelle Boocock, 
worthy matron ; John Keyes, worthy patron ; 
Mrs. Frank H. Gitsham, associate matron ; 
Mrs. Frank R. Wilson, treasurer; Mrs. James 
McRoberts, secretary; Mrs. Robert C. Pier- 



98 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



son, conductress; Mrs. G. Thoma, associate 
conductress ; Mrs. John Reynolds, chaplain ; 
Mrs. Edwin H. Groat, marshal; Mrs. Dora 
Miller, organist: Mrs. Fred Armer, warder; 
Mr. Leander Spicer, sentinel; Ada, Mrs. Wm. 
Bradley; Ruth, Miss Florence Hill; Esther, 
Mrs. Fred Watts ; Martha, Mrs. John Keyes ; 
Electa, Mrs. Enoch M. Scribner: Historian, 
Mrs. George M. Cook. 

INDEPENDENT OltDER OF ODD-FELLOWS. 

Kayaderosseras Lodge, No. 17, I. O. O. F., 
was organized January 9, 1844. The charter 
members were Samuel H. Cook, David Max- 




Odd Fellows' Hall. 

well, James G. Stebbins, William T. Odell, 
William Smith and Edward Gilborne. The 
lodge rooms were first located in the "Man- 
sion House," on Front street. After a few 
years the lodge removed to the rooms oc- 
cupied by the Masonic fraternity on Milton 
avenue, both societies holding their meetings 
in this hall. Kayaderosseras Lodge continued 
to work until 1865, when it was dissolved. 

The successive incumbents of the chair of 
Noble Grand were Samuel H. Cook, David 
Maxwell, William T. Odell, Patrick H. Cowen, 
William Smith, Lorenzo Kelly, John J. Lee, 
Henry Wright, Edward Gilborne, G. V. Mix, 
Harrison Emerson, Squire Barrett, George 



Thompson, Selden A. Emerson, Spencer 
Twitchell, John McKown, John Wilder, James 
Ashmun, James W. Morris, Amos W. Cook, 
Daniel W. Culver, Abram Gary, Lawrence 
W. Bristol, George Babcock, H. P. Jones, A. 
J. Goffe, Isaac D. Gibbons, H. C. Hakes, Ed- 
son O. Arnold, William W. Simmons, Corn- 
well M. Noxon, Nelson H. Huested, Isaac H. 
Sears, James W. Culver, C. H. Van Valken- 
burgh, E. C. Foster, John C. Sullivan, Henry 
A. ^lann, Burdick F. Davie, Joshua B. Boss, 
William W. Day, John H. Westcot, Edwin 
JMiller, Josiah B. Hall, John C. Newman, 
John F. Bortles, James S. Garrett, Clement 
C. Hill, John P. Weatherwax, E. A. Frisbie. 

Ballston Encampment, No. 72, was insti- 
tuted November 9, 1854. This organization 
was only continued a few years. 

A movement to revive the Order was made 
in 1871, and on August 24 of that year, 
Kayaderosseras Lodge, No. 270, was organi- 
zed. The. Lodge is in a flourishing con- 
dition, its membership December 31, 1906, be- 
ing 158. In 1892 the Lodge dedicated the fine 
brick building on Milton avenue known as 
Odd-Fellows Hall, at a cost of about $12,000 
for the lot, building and furnishings. 

The present officers are Louis L. Cohn, No- 
ble Grand; Henry Williams, Vice Grand; 
Francis D. Brower, treasurer; James J. Hig- 
gins, secretary; John L. Hutchins, financial 
secretary; Jacob A. Niles, warden; Cecil H. 
Finnemore, conductor ; Charles Van Buren, R. 
S. N. G. ; Horton D. Cole, L. S. N. G. ; An- 
drew Abeel, R. S. V. G. ; Charles E. Wood, 
L. S. V. G. ; Chester Evarts, R. S. S. ; Arthur 
Gray, L. S. S. ; George Thomas, chaplain ; 
Walter Newbury, I. G. ; Joseph Wilson, O. G. 

Those who have occupied the chair of Noble 
Grand are Abijah Comstock, Frank R. Wilson, 
James Chalice, Alonzo M. Shepherd, Joseph 
Richardson, Emmett Lee, Smith Hovey, James 
Humphrey, Francis D. Brower, Joseph Lewis, 
J. J. Hayward, Henry E. Mooney, Thomas R. 
Robinson, John L. Thomas, Gideon A. Tripp, 
James E. Webster, Tracy W. Nichols, James 
A. Burnham, Charles W. Estes, Robert Frear, 
James E. Gates, Charles H. Baker, Ira B. 
Fryer, George S. Brann, John N. Hutchins, 
Madison Bartlett, John H. Wager, Arthur 
Mathers. William Kinns, James A. Hovey, 
Charles \'^an Buren, John Chard, William H. 
Burdick, Harry E. Hawley, James H. Sim- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



99 



mons, William A. Sherwood, George W. Sher- 
wood, Charles E. Chrisfield, George K. Bills, 

D. N. Hammond, E. C. Brooks, Harry J. Hol- 
ness, Charles H. Garling, Frank H. Weymer, 
Horton D. Cole, Henry J. Cole, James White, 
Jr., George Earl, Addison Comstock, William 
H. Cowles, George Rogers, Warren P. Cole, 
W. W. Spaulding, James D. Reid, Louis L. 
Cohn. 

Milton Encampment, No. iii, I. O. O. F., 
was organized February 27, 1889. The pres- 
ent officers are Archie L. Carr, chief patriarch ; 
George Rogers, senior warden ; Warren P. 
Cole, junior warden; James D. Reid, scribe; 
James H. Simmons, treasurer; Arthur Math- 
ers, financial scribe. 

Canton T. J. Marvin, No. 4, P. M., I. O. O. 
F., was instituted December 31, 1885. The 
officers are Archie R. Carr, captain ; James D. 
Reid, lieutenant; Grover Williams, ensign. 
The Canton has thirty-one members. 

Christina Rebekah Lodge, No. 153, L O. O. 
F., was organized August 24, 1893, ^ind has a 
membership of about sixty. The officers are 
Mrs. James Thomas, N. G. ; Mrs. Horton D. 
Cole, V. G. ; Mrs. Cecil H. Finnemore, secre- 
tary; Mrs. Daniel N. Hammond, financial sec- 
retary; Mrs. Henry Newkom, treasurer; Mrs. 
George De Cora, warden ; Miss Belle Reid, 
conductor ; Mrs. S. Egan, R. S. N. G. ; Mrs. 
James A. Burnham, L. S. N. G. ; Mrs. C. C. 
Dolch, R. S. V. G. ; Mrs. S. Hovey, L. S. V. 
G. ; Mrs. Elmer Kemp, chaplain ; Miss Cecilia 
Castle, L G. ; George R. Earl, O. G. 

The several Lodges of the order meet in 
Odd-Fellows Hall. 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

Hermion Lodge, No. 90, K. of P., was in- 
stituted February 5, 1873. The first officers 
were S. H. Van Steenburgh, C. C. ; W. W. 
Garrett, V. C. ; R. H. Young, P. ; A. M. Shep- 
herd, K. of R. and S. ; George McDonald, M. 
of Ex. ; Matthew Livingston, M. of F. ; George 
Briggs, M. A. ; Willard W. Brown, J. G. ; John 

E. Coope, O. G. ; M. Weiner, P. C. C. 
Those who have occupied the chair of Chan- 
cellor Commander have been S. H. Van Steen- 
burgh, M. H. Livingston, M. Weiner, J. W. 
Smith, Alonzo M. Shepherd, William W. 
Garrett, Rush H. Young, Frank Snyder, Justin 
L. Warriner, John McCarthy, Courtland 
Rouse, George B. Yott, George D. Story, 



Robert Groom, Luther M. Moore, Willard W. 
Brown, Sylvester S. Gould, John L. Coon, 
Frank E. Mitchell, Charles M. Arnold, James 
Dunk, James F. Robinson, James M. Wood, 
Enoch M. Scribner, Channing Barton, Wil- 
liam Mooney, John Watson, Joseph Chilson, 
Charles W. Estes, Joseph R. ShefTer, J. L. 
Thompson, W. J. Holness, George W. Ayers, 
Fred C. Morehouse, A. H. Parker, C. F. Gar- 
ling, Louis L. Cohn, E. G. Tibbetts, T. F. 
Faxon, William A. Van Evren, L. L. Ayers, 
J. L. Smith. 

The present officers are R. L. DeLong, C. 
C. ; W. A. Bradley, V. C. ; W. W. Brown, M. 
of E. ; H. W. Burnham, M. of F. ; Wendell 
Townlev, K. of R. and S. ; J. L. Smith, M. of 
W. ; M. D. Bradley, Jr., M. of A. ; W. A. Van 
Evren, L G. ; William Parker, O. G. ; C. F. 
Garling, E. M. Scribner, H. H. Ferris, trus- 
tees ; J. L. Smith, James M. Wood, L. L. 
Ayers, finance committee. 

The Lodge has one hundred and sixteen 
members, and occupies handsome rooms on 
the third floor of the Wiley building. 

George West Company, No. 19, K. of P., 
was instituted August 17, 1888. The present 
membership is forty-two. The officers are 
L. G. Demmon, captain; R. L. Delong, first 
lieutenant; F. L. Blanchard, second lieuten- 
ant ; Edward H. Garling, recorder ; Charles 
Heritage, treasurer; E. S. Jones, left guide; 
William A. Van Evren, right guide. 

McKinley Temple, No. 20, of Pvthian Sis- 
ters, was organized in January, 1905, and has 
a membership of sixty-five. The officers are 
Mrs. Henry Hodsoll, most excellent chief; 
Mrs. Reuben L. Delong, past chief; Mrs. 
Braman Ayers, most excellent senior; Mrs. 
Hiram Morse, junior of the Temple ; Mrs. D. 
V. G. Curtis, manager of the Temple; Mrs. 
James Clute, mistress of finance ; Mrs. Minnie 
Ayers, mistress of correspondence ; Mrs. Alice 
Groom, protector of Temple ; Mrs. Jonas 
Smith, outside guard. Mrs. Minnie Ayers is 
Mistress of Finance in the Grand Temple of 
the State, and also M. E. Deputy Chief of this 
district. 

ORDER OF MACCABEES. 

Ballston Tent, No. 429, was organized 
April t6, 1896, with thirty members. The 
first officers were T. W. Nichols, past com- 
mander; Charles Van Buren, commander; O. 



Lorc» 



100 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



1 



E. York, lieutenant commander; Walter L. 
Grose, record keeper; W. J. York, finance 
keeper; George S. Brann, chaplain; F. J. 
Holmes, sergeant ; H. S. Craig, physician ; W. 
H. Newcomb, M. at A.; D. Des Grange, ist 
M. of G. ; Samuel Russell, 2nd M. of G. ; W. 
H. Estes, sentinel ; Frank Waring, picket. 

This is a fraternal insurance society, and 
insures its members in sums of $250 to $3,000. 
Since its organization 332 members have been 
admitted, and there are now 196 members in 
good standing. The officers for 1907 are J. 
Franklin Kilmer, past commander; Martin 
Haley, commander; Clarence Sickles, lieuten- 
ant commander; Charles Van Buren, record 
and finance keeper; Charles H. Baker, chap- 
lain ; John Leahy, sergeant ; R. B. Castree, 
physician ; M. B. Gleason, M. at A. ; William 
Ellison, 1st M. of G. ; Oscar Robinson, 2nd 
M. of G. ; Laurence Gorman, sentinel ; War- 
ren C. McCreedy, picket. 

The Tent has fine lodge rooms in the Sans 
Souci block on Front street, and meets every 
Tuesday evening. 

Eallston Hive, No. 400, Lady Maccabees, 
was organized in February, 1902. It is a fra- 
ternal and social society, and insures its mem- 
bers in sums from $250 to $1,000. The Hive 
has thirty members for insurance, and two so- 
cial members. The meetings are held in 
Pythian Hall. 

The officers are Mrs. Nelson Gardner, lady 
commander; Mrs. W. J. Eastwood, lieutenant 
commander ; Mrs. Vernon Bremer, past com- 
mander; Mrs. Horace Mosher, record keeper; 
Mrs. Edward Van Alstyne, sergeant ; Mrs. D. 
N. Hammond, mistress at arms; Mrs. George 
W. Gardner, chaplain; Mrs. L Brown, senti- 
nel; Mrs. Chas. H. Baker, picket. 

CATHOLIC SOCIETIES. 

The Young Men's Sodality was instituted 
in 1879, and has fine rooms in the McCIew 
building on Milton avenue. 

Knights of Columbus, organized in 1892, is 
a social and benevolent order, with a member- 
ship of thirty-five. It is a branch of the Sara- 
toga Knights, and is officered by the Saratoga 
society. 

Sans Souci Council, C. W. B. L., was or- 
ganized January 8, 1902. A benevolent, social 
and insurance order, with a membershin of 
fifty. The officers are Miss Louisa King, 



president; Mrs. William Whalen, vice-presi- 
dent; Miss Nettie Heninger, chancellor; Mrs. 
James Dower, orator; Mrs. William J. Burn- 
ham, secretary; Miss Mary Sheehy, collector; 
Miss Catharine Luffman, treasurer; Miss 
Dora Bousquet, marshal ; Mrs. Mary Swift, 
guard ; Mrs. Thomas Cleary, Mrs. Charles 
Morris, Miss Mena Charon, trustees. Meet- 
ings are held second and fourth Thursday of 
each month in St. Mary's hall. 

Catholic Benevolent Legion, organized May 
8, 1889, is a benevolent and insurance order, 
with fifty members. William H. Van Dyke is 
president ; Henry Lowry, secretary ; Thomas 
Kerley, treasurer ; John Corning, collector. 
Meets first and third Wednesday of every 
month in St. Mary's hall. 

League of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, or- 
ganized in 1895 by the Reverend Monsignor 
L. D. Maguire, of Albany, is a religious or- 
der, devoted to good works. The League has 
two hundred members, divided into bands of 
ten members each, with a promoter at the 
head of each band, and all in charge of a di- 
rector. Meets the first Friday in every 
month, and has special services in the church 
both morning and evening. 

Ballston Division, No. 8, Ancient Order of 
Hibernians, was instituted June 10, 1906. The 
order maintains a benefit for its members in 
case of sickness. The officers are William A. 
Mehan, president ; James J. O'Brien, vice- 
president; John F. Hennessey, treasurer; 
Harry Gaflfney, recording secretary; Charles 
J. Reilly, financial secretary ; Rev. B. J. Mc- 
Donough, chaplain. The Order has a mem- 
bership of one hundred and twenty-five, and 
meets in St. Mary's hall. 

Ladies Auxiliary, A. O. H., instituted June 
17, 1906, meets in St. Mary's hall. It is a 
benevolent and social order, with eighty mem- 
bers. The officers are Mrs. Thomas Duffy, 
president; Mrs. James J. O'Brien, vice-presi- 
dent ; Miss Anna Reilly, recording secretary ; 
Mrs. Ovid Eddy, financial secretary; Mrs. 
William A. Mehan, treasurer; Mrs. John F. 
Hennessey, mistress at arms; Miss Lizzie 
Jones, sentinel. 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

William H. McKittrick Post, No. 46, G. 
A. R., was organized in May, 1875. It is 
named in memory of Captain McKittrick, a 
soldier of the Mexican and the Civil wars, 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



101 



who lost his life in the battle at Fort Gil- 
mer, Virginia. The first officers were Al- 
bert J. Reid, C. ; Thomas Harris, S. V. C. ; 
Charles Massey, J. V. C; P. P. Williams, 
Adjutant ; George D. Story, Q. M. ; Justin 
Warner, Q. M. S. ; James D. Thompson, O. 
D. ; Rush H. Young, Chaplain ; Charles 
Brockway, Surgeon; Martin Lee, O. G. 

The Commanders of the Post have been 
Albert J. Reid, Thomas Harris, James D. 
Thompson, George D. Story, James Dunk, 
Allen S. Glenn, John Mitchell, James Wood, 



-Ss_ 



year, at Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs 
alternately. The Ballston Spa Gazette says 
"the sixth anniversary of the Saratoga County 
Agricultural Society was held at Saratoga 
Springs October 13, 1824. A very able and 
patriotic address was delivered by Hon. John 
W. Taylor, a member of the Society." 

An interesting report of a committee made 
at the Seventh Anniversary will be found 
elsewhere in connection with the Seminary of 
Lebbeus Booth, to which it relates. 

The fairs in Ballston Spa were held in the 



"^^^^^'^''^S^ 



t^ .^ iiiwfttr^A^- 




SARATOGA COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS AND ALMS HOUSE. 



Bryan McGinnis, George McCreedy, James 
L. Boocock, Rush H. Young, William H. 
Sherman, George F. Foster, A. J. Carter, M. 
H. Potter, Andrew J. Freeman. 

William B. Horton Post, No. 35, Sons of 
Veterans, was organized in 1880. This or- 
ganization is now known as McKittrick 
Camp, S. of V. 

The Women's Relief Corps was organized 
about the year 1880. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 

The first County Agricultural Society was 
organized in October, 1819, in Ballston Spa. 
The annual meetings, which were called "An- 
niversaries," were held in October of each 



Court House, where the exhibition of farm 
products and household articles was made ; 
the stock exhibit being held on the lot now 
occupied by the residence of Frank H. 
Brown, nearly opposite the Court House. 

In 1841 the Legislature passed an Act pro- 
viding for the formation of county agricul- 
tural societies, and the Saratoga County Ag- 
ricultural Society was formed under its pro- 
visions, and the annual fairs continued to be 
held in Ballston Spa until 1849, when the So- 
ciety voted to hold its fairs in Mechanicville 
for ten years. At the expiration of this pe- 
riod the Society located at Saratoga Springs. 

The Union Fair Association was organized 
at Ballston Spa in the winter of 1870, and the 



102 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



first fair was held on the fair grounds in this 
village in 1871. This fair continued for sev- 
eral years, when it was merged in the County 
Society, and the County Fair was located per- 
manently on the grounds in this village, which 
were purchased by the County Society. 

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS. 

A Tent of Rechabites, known as Delevan 
Tent, existed in the town of Ballston in the 
earliest years of that order in the United 
States. It was named for Hon. Edward C. 
Delevan, a resident of Ballston and Albany, 
and one of the most prominent workers in the 
temperance cause in the state. He was also 
proprietor of the Delevan House in .A.lbany. 

In 1830 Ballston Division of Sons of Tem- 
perance, located in the village of Ballston Spa, 
was organized with a membership of three 
hundred and sixteen. This society was con- 
tinued for a number of years. 

In 1874 a lodge of Good Templars was or- 
ganized, and had an existence of two years. 

OTHER SOCIETIES. 

The first Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion in the village was organized in 1858, with 
Dr. D. W. Culver as President. It was con- 
tinued for about two years. In 1867 a Y. M. 
C. A. was instituted, with Stephen E. Garrett 
as President. This Association had a large 
membership, a good library, and a large read- 
ing room supplied with newspapers and peri- 
odicals. The Association had a brief exist- 
ence of about three years. 

The first organization of workingmen in 
the village was a "Mechanics' Association" in 
1854. 

The Utopian Club, a social organization of 
gentlemen, was organized in .September, 1885. 
The Club has very handsome rooms in the 
Sans Souci block on Front street. A fine li- 
brary is one of the attractions of the Club. 

The Knickerbocker Club is a social and 
musical club organized among our young 
men about two years ago. 

The Os-sa-hin-ta Club, a social, musical 
and athletic club, was organized by the young 
men of the village February last. The officers 
are William Clement, president ; Louis Rob- 
bins, vice-president; Ray Foote, treasurer; 
Charles Steinrod, secretary. The Club has 
handsome rooms in the Winney building on 
Front street. 



The Health and Strength Club, an athletic 
association of young men, was organized last 
March. Ofllicers : Charles T. Mason, presi- 
dent ; John Redmond, vice-president ; Joseph 
F. Driscoll, treasurer; Maurice M. Dower, 
secretary. The Club has twenty-six mem- 
bers, and was accorded the honor of opening 
the Centennial Celebration with its first ath- 
letic meet. 

Kaydeross Camp, No. 10,829, Modern 
Woodmen of America, was organized July 19, 
1 90 1, and now has a local membership of 
thirty-five. The object of this organization 
is to furnish life insurance protection at cost. 
E. S. Coons is the present presiding officer; 
William Whalen, treasurer; William L. Max- 
on, clerk. 

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union 
was organized February 8, 1888. The first 
officers were Mrs. D. A. Forbes, president ; 
Mrs. E. P. Stevens, Mrs. W. T. C. Hanna 
and Mrs. A. R. Olney, wives of the pastors of 
the Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian 
churches, vice-presidents ; Miss Mary E. Law- 
rence, secretary; Mrs. T. C. Kelley, treasurer. 
In 1889 the society established a reading room 
which it maintained until about a year ago. 
The present officers are Mrs. Andrew Hall, 
president ; Mrs. A. A. Garrett, treasurer ; Mrs. 
Henry Newkom, secretary. 

The Ancient Order of United Workmen 
was organized in 1877. The present officers 
are Louis Cohn, Master Workman ; James H. 
Simmons, financier; Henry Newkom, treas- 
urer. This is a fraternal insurance order, and 
at one time had a large membership, main- 
tained a lodge hall, and held regular meetings. 
The membership is now small and no lodge 
meetings are held. 

The Ballston Spa Cemetery Association 
was incorporated June 15, 1898. 

The Federation of Churches was consti- 
tuted April 18, 1904. It includes the Episco- 
palian, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist 
churches. 

The labor organizations at present existing 
in the village are as follows : . Carpenters' 
Union, Painters' Union, Pulp and Sulphite 
Workers' Union, International Brotherhood 
of Stationary Firemen, Federation of Labor, 
Trades Assembly, and International Brother- 
hood of Paper Makers. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



103 



The Corporation 



PRIOR to the incorporation of the vil- 
in 1807 under the name of Ballston 
Spa, the post-office had been named 
"Ballston Springs," and writers of an 
early period spoke of the settlement as "Ball's 
Town," or as "Ballston." In some early deeds 
the place is called "Ballston Salt Springs," 
and also "Town of Spa," and Gordon Creek is 
mentioned as "Spa Creek." 

Many matters of historic interest are to be 
found in the books of minutes of the Board 
of Trustees. On the first page of the first 
book of village records the following entry 
appears : "At an election of the inliabitants 
of the village of Ballston Spa, held at the 
house of David McMaster on the first Tues- 
day of May, agreeable to public notice, and 
in conformity to the Charter of Incorpora- 
tion of the said Village of Ballston Spa, 
granted by the Legislature, in an Act entitled 
An Act relative to the Village of Ballston 
Spa, passed the 21st of March, 1807, the fol- 
lowing persons were duly elected to the re- 
spective offices, viz : Joshua B. Aldridge, 
Stephen H. White, Nathan Lewis, trustees ; 
John Warren, David McMaster, Archy Kas- 
son, assessors; Epenetus White, Jun., treas- 
urer ; Eli Barnum, collector ; William Shep- 
herd, clerk; Elihu Roe, Samis Blakely, con- 
stables." 

Copies of a local newspaper published in 
1806 and 1807, make it possible to give the 
occupations of the first village officers. 

Trustees — Joshua B. Aldridge was the 
proprietor of the "Aldridge House," a lead- 
ing hotel ; Stephen H. White, was a fuller, 
dyer and dresser of cloths, and proprietor of 
a large boarding house; Nathan Lewis was 
a merchant tailor. 

Assessors — John Warren was a general 
merchant ; David McMaster, one of the pro- 
prietors of the "McMaster House"; and 
Archy Kasson, dealt in dry goods and gro- 
ceries, and was also a "nail and tin maker." 

Treasurer — Epenetus White, Jr., had a 



general store opposite the Spring, and was 
the second store keeper to locate here. He 
was a son of Epenetus White, a member of 
the surveying party which discovered the 
Spring in 1771. Trustee White and Treas- 
urer White were cousins. 

Collector — Eli Barnum, was engaged in 
the saddler)' and harness business, and be- 
came one of Ballston's leading merchants. 

Clerk — William Shepherd was proprietor 
of a grist mill. 

Constables — Elihu Roe was a farmer, and 
lived opposite the cemetery; Samis Blakely, 
was a blacksmith. 

The first meeting of the Trustees was 
held at the Aldridge House (now Brook- 
side), Saturday, June 6, 1807. All the 
trustees were present. It was "Resolved, 
That the Board meet on every Thursday of 
each week at the house of Reuben Ball, at 5 
o'clock in the afternoon precisely, and for 
the neglect of punctual attendance at the 
hour stipulated, each delinquent shall forfeit 
the sum of fifty cents." 

A drain of timber was ordered laid, and a 
dock was ordered built along the creek "to 
contract the width of the creek to twenty 
feet." The assessors were directed to make 
an estimate of the cost of the drain and the 
dock. This was all the business transacted 
at the first meeting. 

At the next meeting held June 11 the as- 
sessors reported the cost of the drain and 
dock as $150. At a subsequent meeting on 
July II the Board unanimously revoked the 
assessment and called a special meeting of 
the inhabitants of the village. 

There is no other record until November 
14, when it was decided to accept certain 
lands of Joshua B. Aldridge and Nicholas 
Low for the purpose of improving the street 
near the Spring, "provided the said dock can 
be paid for and filled up by a voluntary sub- 
scription." 

These three meetings were all that appear 



104 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



in the record of the first year. The resolu- 
tion providing for weekly meetings of the 
trustees seems to have fallen into "innocuous 
desuetude," and the dock and drain were 
forgotten. 

At the second election in May, 1808, the 
same trustees were continued in office. 

On May 28 in this year, an ordinance was 
passed fixing the weight and price of loaves 
of bread, and attaching a penalty of $2 for 



the only business transacted was in relation 
to construction of drains. At the last meet- 
ing of the year Walnut street was established 
a public street. Seven trustee meetings were 
held in 1808. 

The records show only one meeting in 1809. 
At this meeting it was resolved that "the stone 
in the channel of Spa creek be used to build 
a wall to prevent inundations." 

A meeting of the inhabitants of the village 




FRONT STREET, 1907. 



each violation of the ordinance. A similar 
ordinance was passed from time to time until 
about 1820. This is the ordinance : 

"Be it ordained that the assize for bread for the 
village of Ballston Spa be as follows: A loaf of 
superfine flour to weigh 3 lbs. and 10 oz. for one 
shilling; a loaf of like flour to weigh i lb. and 13 
oz. for six pence ; a loaf of common flour to weigh 
4 lbs. and 3 oz. for one shilling; a loaf of like flour 
to weigh 2 lbs. and I oz. for six pence." 

At the same meeting each owner of a dwell- 
ing was required to provide two ladders for 
use in case of fire — one to reach the eaves ; 
another, with iron hooks, to be laid on the 
roof. 

At four subsequent meetings in this year 



held April 14, 181 1, voted to raise by tax 
$1,400 for the purpose of building a school 
house. This school building afterwards was 
known as "The Academy." 

In 1813 a committee was appointed to pro- 
cure from the Legislature a charter for a man- 
ufacturing company. This is the first action 
by the trustees in aid of the industrial devel- 
opment of the village. 

There was evidently a scarcity of money of 
small denominations in 1814, and at a meet- 
ing held November 25, the trustees were "re- 
quested to issue bills under $1 to an amount 
not exceeding $1,000." On January 17 of the 
following year the inhabitants again author- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF DALLSTON SPA 



105 



ized the trustees to issue a second $i,ooo of 
similar bills. In a village paper, under date 
of March 26, 1818, "the public are informed 
that the trustees have made arrangements with 
Mr. E. D. Smith to redeem the small corpo- 
ration bills, and as the trustees are desirous 
of closing that business, request the holders 
of said bills to present them as soon as possi- 
ble." Mr. Smith was a merchant in the vil- 
lage. 

June ID, 1815, the trustees decided to build 
a Market House on the corner of Walnut and 
Science streets. The house was built as ap- 



pears by a later record of the renting of four 
stalls in the market for a total sum of $28. 
In 1816 a village seal was adopted. 

FREEHOLDERS IN 1817. 

The first tax list of which there is any rec- 
ord is found in the book of minutes of the 
board of trustees, under date of June 7, 1817, 
ten years after the village was incorporated. 
It contains one hundred and four names, and 
the total assessment was $175,650. The fol- 
lowing is the list, with the assessment of each 
freeholder : 



Joshua B. Aldridge $16,000 

Charlotte White 12,000 

Epenetus White 4.000 

Nicholas Low 25,000 

Andrew Bcrger 12,000 

Samuel Pitkin 1,400 

Elisha P. Langworthy 1,400 

Betsey McMaster 1,400 

Mary Marshall 700 

Peter Abbey 800 

William Stilwell i,750 

Andrew Watrous 2,000 

Norman Webster 1,000 

Samuel Smith 1,800 

James Doney 900 

Sanbun Ford 400 

Aaron Nash 400 

Lewis Smith 400 

Samuel Scidmore 600 

Evans Robbins 400 

Edward A. Morehouse.... 400 

Elizabeth Simonds 200 

John Flint Soo 

John Bennett 800 

Mindwell Bridges 1,400 

William H. Bridges 2,000 

Moses Williams 2,500 

James Caldwell S.SOO 

William Clark 1,500 

Archibald Kidd 2,000 

Douglass Satterlee 1,000 

James Merrill 3.ooo 

Raymond Taylor 2,500 

John Dix 



200 
100 



Richard Atkins 

The original charter does not seem to have 
met the needs of the growing village, and in 
December, 1821, Samuel Cook, Thomas Pal- 
mer and A. W. Odell were appointed a com- 
mittee to draft a new Act of Incorporation. 
The new charter was passed by the Legisla- 
ture in 1822. 

In 1823 it was decided to compensate the 
village clerk for his services, and the salary 
was fixed at $10. 



Eleanor Bradley 800 

Thomas Cade 1,000 

Richard Burtis 200 

John Harwood 200 

John Welch 200 

Mrs. Davis 40o 

John Marchandt 60c 

John Cross 1.500 

Walter Geere 100 

Mrs. Flint 2,000 

William Carter 1.600 

Rowland A. Wright 800 

John Cutler 5oo 

Stephen Fuller 800 

John Payne 700 

Mrs. Strang 500 

Samuel Cook 1,000 

John Kelly 500 

Josiah Pulling 500 

A. W. Odell 500 

Amos Allcott 1.500 

Jonathan Williams 600 

Wright & Barlow 80c 

Langworthy & Son Soo 

E. D. Smith 1,500 

Hoff & Lockwood 500 

James Francis 800 

Anthony Wilson Soo 

Ulysses F. Doubleday 800 

Barlow 300 

McBain & Page i.ioo 

John Story & Son .300 

John K. Beekman 800 

Peter Francis 30o 

Allcott & Langworthy 1,100 



Sears & Comstock 1,400 

Thomas Palmer 2,500 

Joel Lee 2,000 

Eli Barnuni • 2,000 

Lee & Barnum 1,100 

Lyman B. Langworthy 800 

Asa .Allcox 1,000 

Isaiah Bunce 1,000 

Oliver Edson I.ooo 

."Vvery Swan 800 

Oren Sage 1,500 

Reuben Westcot •• 1,100 

Samuel Hicks 800 

Stephen S. Seaman 3.000 

Solomon Lockwood 800 

Farquhar McBain 4.000 

William Ford I.50C 

Widow Foster 50" 

Tnnocent Peckham SOO 

Elihu Roe 700 

Heirs of Wright Tryon. .. 700 

Joseph Garret 2,000 

Hannah Peckham 200 

Joseph Perry 2,6oo 

David Sprague 2.500 

Nathaniel & Stephen Toby. 2,500 

Margaret Purvis I.CXW 

Richard Darby 700 

Hezekiah Middlebrook I,500 

Henry P. Chapman 1,000 

Widow Luther 600 

Stephen Lockwood 400 

James Jack 800 

Stephen Fox 200 



$175,650 

In May, 1825, a village meeting authorized 
the trustees to place proper guide boards in 
such public places as appear to them neces- 
sary. 

the village pumps needed repairmg in Jan- 
uary, 1827, and the repairs were ordered. 

In 1832, the year of the Asiatic cholera epi- 
demic, the first hoard of health was appointed. 
There were six members, and Dr. Samuel 
Freeman was health officer. A vigilance com- 



106 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



mittee of fifteen was also appointed to see that 
cleanliness in streets and buildings was ob- 
served. The strict rules adopted were effect- 
ive, and not a single case of cholera was re- 
ported. 

At a meeting held October 31, 1835, the fol- 
lowing resolution was adopted: "Resolved, 
That this meeting deem it expedient for this 
village to take measures with a view to ascer- 
taining the practicability of constructing a 



Reuben Westcot, John Wait, Nathaniel M. 
Clark, Philip H. McOmber. At their first 
meeting the trustees elected James M. Cook, 
the first village president. 

The first mention of a village attorney is 
found in the records of 1844. 

The village decided in 1846 to light the 
streets, and the trustees appointed a commit- 
tee "to ascertain how maiiy street lamps were 
wanted, and the cost." This public improve- 




St. Mary's Parochial Residence. 



MILTON AVENUE. 



railroad from this village to intersect the rail- 
road from Schenectady to Utica, in the neigh- 
borhood of Amsterdam." A committee was 
appointed to carry the resolution into effect. 
No further record as to the action of this com- 
mittee is to be found. 

At a public meeting held October 27, 1835, 
the trustees were authorized to sell "The 
Academy." At this meeting it was proposed 
to raise by tax $500 to move the McMaster 
house out of Front street; also that measures 
be taken to open Science street to High street 
if the Academy is sold. The McMaster house 
was not moved "out of Front street" until 
thirty years later. The house was destroyed 
by fire in 1835, and in 1865 the trustees re- 
moved the ruins and straightened Front street 
at this point. 

In the year 1842 the number of the trustees 
was increased to five. The trustees also elect- 
ed one of their number village president. The 
trustees chosen this year were James M. Cook, 



ment was carried out, for in the following 
year the trustees ordered the street lamps re- 
paired and the number increased. 

At a meeting of the trustees on July 27( 
1847, it was "Resolved, That Isaac Fowler 
be and is hereby requested to invite the at- 
tendance of General Tom Thumb at this place 
at his pleasure. Resolved, That Mr. Fowler 
be requested to state to the little General that 
there are no SDiall men in Ballston, it being a 
free port, and that the inhabitants and visit- 
ors of this place v^^ould be happy to greet the 
little great man." There is no record of the 
acceptance of this flattering invitation, but it 
must have pleased the General for the Balls- 
ton Journal says that he appeared at the Sans 
Souci August 23 and 24, in his programme 
of songs, dances, Grecian statue's, and his rep- 
resentations of Napoleon, Frederick the Great, 
etc. 

In January, 1848, permission was given to 
the Schenectady and Saratoga Plank Road 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



107 



Company to construct a plank road in Balls- 
ton Spa, through Ballston street to High 
street; to Court, to Front street, to Milton 
avenue, and through Milton avenue to north 
line of the village. April 17, 1848, a tax of 
$80 was voted to purchase a new village 
hearse. 

The minutes of the trustees of July 14, 1849 
read : "Dan Rice is given leave to exhibit 
August, 1849." This early showman, and the 
prince among clowns of all time, seems to 
have brought the first circus to Ballston. 

In 1853 an effort was made to bring Blood- 
ville within the corporate limits, but it was 
not successful. 

At a public meeting in September of this 
year a resolution to levy a tax of $1,000 for 
building a Surrogate's office was laid on the 
table; a resolution to raise the money by sub- 
scription was ignored, and "the meeting broke 
up in a row," if the record can be relied on. 

A new charter was adopted in 1855, and a 
committee appointed to present it to the Legis- 
lature for enactment. 

The first Commissioners of Deeds for the 
village, six in number, were appointed in 1859. 

August 15, i860, a franchise was granted 
to the Providence, R. I., Steam and Gas Pipe 
Company, to lay pipes for furnishing gas in 
the streets of the village. Gas was furnished 
early in 1861. 

In Alay, 1865, the trustees adopted a reso- 
lution to straighten Front street, at the west 
end. The McMaster property was acquired, 
and the street changed to its present location 
Previous to this time the street turned north- 
ward at the brow of the hill, and intersected 
Charlton street just north of the present Iron 
Spring. 

The village was first lighted by gas in 1873. 
Gas had so largely given place to the electric 
light, that the gas works were closed in Janu- 
ary of the present year. The electric light 
was first introduced in 1890. 

In June, 1876. the name of Ballston avenue 
was changed to Church avenue, to avoid con- 
fusion, as there is a Ballston street running 
south from High street, past the village ceme- 
tery. 

A meeting of the electors was held March 
19, 1877, to vote on the question of incorpo- 
rating the village under the General Village 
Law of 1870. The vote stood 82 for; 150 



against. At another meeting on February 23, 
1879, t^hc question was again defeated, 98 for; 
152 against. The question remained quiet for 
six years, when, on March 16, 1885, the vil- 
lage voted for such incorporation, 318 for; 
134 against. The trustees have since that time 
been acting under the general incorporation 
law for villages. In the year 1885, for the 
first time the office of Village President was 
made distinct from that of trustee, and the 
President was elected by the people. The 
term of office of the trustees was also in- 
creased to two years, three trustees to be elect- 
ed in one year, and two on the alternate 
years. 

In 1887 the village clock was purchased at 
a cost of $700. It was at first placed in the 
tower of Christ church. In 1891 the clock 
was removed to its present location in the 
tower of the Court House. The old "town 
clock" in the steeple of the Baptist church at 
the head of Front street, began to record the 
time when the church was completed in 1836, 
and did good service for fifty years. 

In 1897 the number of trustees was in- 
creased to six; three trustees to be elected an- 
nually. 

In 1901 the first brick jjavement in the vil- 
lage was laid on Front street, from Bath 
street to Milton avenue. In 1902 a portion of 
Bath street and Milton avenue were paved 
with brick : and in 1906, Malta avenue, from 
Milton avenue to Pine street, was similarly 
paved. 

In the year 1904, for the first time, the Vil- 
lage Clerk and the Street Commissioner were 
elected by the people. Prior to this these offi- 
ces had been filled by appointment of the 
Trustees. 

In 1906 a "curfew" ordinance was adopted. 
This ordinance makes it unlawful for any 
person under sixteen years of age to be or 
remain on the streets in the village after the 
hour of nine o'clock p. m., from March i to 
August 31 : and from September i to the last 
day of February, after eight o'clock p. m., 
unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

In 1907, June 22 to 25, the centennial cele- 
bration of the incorporation of the village was 
held. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

At a public meeting held January 27, 1815, 
the citizens decided to build an engine house 



108 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



and purchase a fire engine, and directed the 
Trustees to organize a Fire Company imme- 
diately. It took nearly two years to decide as 
to the kind of engine to be purchased, and 
September i6, 1816, $300 were voted for this 
purpose. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the Trustees 
in January, 1815, were required to organize 
a fire company immediately, the first com- 
pany was not organized until August 15, 



it was moved across Bath street to the site of 
the present Engine House, No. i. The old 
house was a small one-story frame building, 
with a cupola for the bell. The present en- 
gine house was built in 1867. 

The first mention of Eagle Fire Company, 
No. I, is on June 10, 1843. It had previously 
been called Fire Engine Company, No. i. 

The Ballston Spa Hook and Ladder Star 
Company was organized in August, 1843. 




ENGINE HOUSE No. 1. 

Matt Lee Hook and Ladder Company, which won the State Championship in the prize 

drill, under Edward J. Sweeney, drill master. 



1818, three-and-a-half years later. It took 
the name of Fire Engine Company, No. i. 
The following were its members : Wm. A. 
Langworthy, captain; Andrew Watrous, as- 
sistant captain ; Simeon P. Allcott, Rowland 
A. Wright, Eli Barnum, John Merchant, Av- 
ery Swan, David Sprague, Anson Buel, Jabez 
Smith, Nehemiah Barber, William Ford, Cor- 
nelius Jones, George Lockwood, Stephen 
Lockwood, Isaac Seaman, Jacob Van Der- 
heyden, James Jack, Lyman S. Ballard, Ste- 
phen Peckham, Henry H. Langworthy, Ulys- 
ses F. Doubleday, Lyman B. Langworthy, 
Erasmus D. Smith, James B. Grant. 

Engine House No. i, was first located on 
the southwest comer of Bath and Walnut 
streets, on a lot owned by John Wait. In 1845 



This company was merged with Eagle Fire 
Company a few years later. 

The equipment of Eagle Fire Company was 
a first-class hand engine made by Button & 
Company, of Waterford; two hose carts, and 
ladders and pike poles. 

Star Fire Company, No. 2, at the north- 
end, was organized September 28, 1855, with 
the following members : Adam Wilber, 
Charles E. Jones, Anthony Tarrant, David 
Sears, William F. Posson, George Foster, 
Marshall Vaughn, John Spicer, Hiram Hovey, 
N. Reed Vandenburgh, John B. Thomas, 
George Burnham, John Vandenburgh, Or- 
ville D. Vaughn, Gideon A. Tripp, Hezekiah 
Middlebrook, Ephraim Tripp, Smith Hovey, 
John Whitford, Michael H. Smith, Wm. W. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



109 



Arnold, David F. Barton, Nathan Fury, 
George Caneff, Wm. H. Hull, James V. Den- 
ton, Wallace Mcintosh, Alexander Hays, Wil- 
liam Webb, Abram Van Epps, John Calkins, 
Henry I. Davis, John Webb, James Irish, 



Reid, John M. Waterbury, Alfred J. Rowell, 
Loren Allen, Abram Coons, L. E. Miller, E. 
C. Hoyt, Jacob Allen, Wallace Young, Henry 
C. Dye, Warren Earl, Robert Morrison, J. S. 
Thomas, George M. Winne, Smith Hovey, 




UNION HOSE COMPANY No. 2. 
This Company also won the irtate Championship in the prize drill. 



Egbert Davis, John F. Burtles, John Coon, 
David Sheffer, Thomas Spicer. 

J. A. Hovey Hook and Ladder Company, 
No. I, was organized July ii, 1868. The 
charter members were Charles H. Wickham, 
Seth Whalen, Robert J. Allison, Henry Lu- 
ther, John D. Wait, John H. Arnold, John N. 
Ramsdill, Samuel Massey, S. B. Lanehart, 
Swits Walls, George H. Parkinson, A. J. 



Bracey Shepherd, Gideon Anderson, William 
Massey. February 16, 1887, the name of the 
company was changed to Matt Lee Hook and 
Ladder Company, No. i. The rooms of the 
company are in Engine House No. i, on Bath 
street. 

Union Fire Company, No. 2, was organ- 
ized February 7, 1877, in place of Star Fire 
Company, which disbanded four days earlier. 



no 



CENTEXXIAL HISTOR Y OF BALLSTON SPA 



The following were charter members of the 
new company : W. B. H. Outt, A. M. Shep- 
herd, Smith Hovey, W. W. Brown, H. W. 
Haight, James Dunk, P. N. V'iele, C. Fred 
Wheeler, John H. Arnold, Richard Barron. 
George Ayers, C. Rouse, N. M. Estabrook, 
George W. Oakley, Charles Parks, William 
Parks, Royal M. Parks, John H. Smith, Chris. 
Herzog, F. E. Stewart, C. Webster, James 
Wood, George Caneff. James W. Irish. Em- 



number of hydrants, a good supply of hose, 
and the high gravity pressure affording ample 
fire protection. 



WATER WORKS. 



The first franchise for village water works 
was granted to Isaac Rice, May lo, 1826, and 
thirteen years later, in 1839, the privileges 
granted to Rice were transferred to Dr. Sam- 
uel Freeman, and in July, 1840, Amaziah Ford 




THE RESERVOIR— BALLSTON SP.'^. W.A.1 i-.R W URK.S 



mett Lee, G. B. Yott, James Clute, C. B. 
Irish, Orin Osgood, W. W. Garrett, John Par- 
ent, Paul Lauderville, A. J. Reid, John How- 
ard, James Bourst, David Thompson. 

This company was equipped with a Button 
hand engine of great power, a hose cart, and 
hooks and ladders. The handsome brick 
building which they now occupy, stands on 
the site of the earlier frame house, on the 
west side of Milton avenue, a little north of 
the Kayaderosseras bridge. 

Until 1870, when hydrants were established, 
the village depended on the two hand en- 
gines for protection from fires, and they were 
kept for use on the higher grounds until the 
erection of the stand-pipe in 1900. Since that 
time they have been abandoned, the large 



and Joseph Kelso were granted the same 
privileges. Nothing seems to have been done 
under these franchises. 

The inhabitants of the village were sup- 
plied with drinking water until 1869 by wells ; 
and by the private springs of Richard Chase, 
James M. Cook, George Thompson and Ed- 
win H. Chapman, the water being conducted 
through wooden logs, with a boring two 
inches in diameter. 

For fire purposes there were a number of 
small reservoirs or cisterns, to which the sur- 
face water was conducted. There were three 
such reservoirs on High street, and three on 
Front street. The streams were used in other 
parts of the village. 

July 23, 1868, a public meeting was held 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



111 



in Waverly Hall, and it was voted to bond 
the village for $20,000 to construct water 
works. Water mains were laid through the 
streets, fire hydrants established, and the res- 
ervoir known as the Palmerton reservoir, just 
beyond the northern limits of the village, was 
constructed. A larger supply of water being 
required to meet the needs of the village, the 
large reservoir near Cady Hill was built some 
years later. To secure greater elevation for 
fire purposes, and a better supply for residents 
on the high grounds, the stand-pipe on Low's 
hill was erected in 1900, and two streams of 
pure spring water added to the supply. To 
day Ballston Spa has a first-class system of 
water works, and a potable water which ranks 
among the best in the State. The cost to the 
corporation has been, in round numbers 
$200,000. 

With the opening of the sewage disposal 
plant the past summer, the village now has a 
perfect system of sewers. An appropriation 
of $100,000 was required to construct and 
equip the plant. 

THE POST-OFFICE. 

The first record of a post-office in the vil- 
lage is in the possession of Mr. Herbert C. 
Westcot, whose ancestors were among the ear- 
liest inhabitants. The document is a certifi- 
cate of appointment of Joshua B. Aldridge as 
"Deputy Postmaster at Ballstown Springs, N 
Y." It is dated November 30, 1797. April i, 
1798, Mr. Aldridge was appointed postmaster 
at Ballston Springs, the Post-Office Depart- 
ment having dropped the "w." 

Joel Lee was appointed postmaster March 
25, 1805, and held the office continuously for 
thirty-six years. July 28, 1825, the name was 
changed to Ballston Spa, and June 18, 1829, 
the ''Spa" was dropped, the post-office being 
simply "Ballston." Efforts were made at dif- 
ferent times to have the "Spa" restored, so 
that the names of village and postoffice should 
correspond, but without effect, until in 1890 
Mr. C. H. Grose, publisher of the Ballston 
Journal, took up the matter with the Depart- 
ment at Washington. His efforts were suc- 
cessful, and May 16, 1890, the postoffice name 
was made identical with that of the village— 
Ballston Spa. 

James W. Horton succeeded Joel Lee June 
4, 1841. The postmasters since this time have 



been: George Thompson, appointed Decem- 
ber 28, 1844; James Comstock, June 23, 1849; 
James H. Speir, December 6, 185 1; Moses 
Williams, May 24, 1853 ; M. Lemet Williams, 
March 22, 1861 ; James O. Leach, May 13, 
1869; Mrs. Aurelia C. Leach, March 23, 1881 ; 
Merritt J. Esmond, February 13, 1882; Ed- 
ward F. Grose, February 5, 1883; Charles O. 
McCreedy, June 16, 1885 ; Frank Jones, Sep- 
tember 6, 1889; Henry C. Dater, March 20, 
1894; Frank Jones, March 22, 1898; Hiro J. 
Settle, February 13, 1905. 

The postoffice is in the Sans Souci block on 
Front street, and is admirably planned for the 
convenience of the public. The city free deliv- 
ery was instituted November i, 1905, and has 
given general satisfaction. This office also 
has charge of five Rural Free Delivery routes, 
which include the town of Milton ; the north- 
western part of the town of Malta ; the north- 
ern half of the town of Ballston to a short 
distance south of Ballston Centre; on the west 
the route extends for about one mile into the 
town of Galway; on the north into the town 
of Greenfield as far as South Greenfield and 
Page's Corners; and into the southwestern 
part of the town of Saratoga Springs as far as 
Cady Hill. 

Hiro J. Settle is the present postmaster, 
and Charles A. Marvin, assistant postmaster. 
Clerks, Warren C. McCreedy, William V. Pa- 
gan, Miss Olga Reid ; City Carriers, James D. 
Reid, Charles G. Crippen, James L. North- 
rup; Rural Carriers, John H. Potter, Lyman 
Damon, Arthur D. Coon, Eugene H. Brough- 
ton, Leonard J. Weed. 

The Ballston Journal of June 5, 1849, gave 
notice to the electors who voted for General 
Taylor for President, that a meeting would 
be held at the hotel of R. Chase on June 9, to 
select a candidate for Postmaster. The notice 
was signed by James Comstock. Reuben West- 
' cot, James M. Allcott and Nathaniel J. Seely, 
candidates. The vote resulted in the choice 
of James Comstock, and he received the ap- 
pointment. This is the only instance in the 
history of the village of the postmaster being 
chosen by ballot. 

RAILROADS. 

The event of greatest importance in the 
development and growth of the village was 
the building of the Saratoga and Schenectady 



112 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Railroad from Saratoga to Schenectady, which 
was begun in 183 1 and completed in 1832, 
and the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad, 
built in 1833, from Troy to Ballston Spa. 
These were respectively the second and third 
steam railroads in the State, the first road 
being from Albany to Schenectady. 

The first train was run over the road from 
Schenectady to Ballston on July 7th, 1832. 
The train of three "carriages," as they were 



house now stands, and was built in 1832. In 
1849 ^ "^w station was built on the site of the 
present station, which was erected in 1900. 

Harvey Loomis, the proprietor of the Sans 
Souci, built "The Arcade" over the railroad 
tracks at Low street in 1823. The passenger 
trains stopped under The Arcade to accom- 
modate the guests of the Sans Souci. 

The first franchise for an Electric Railroad 
was granted in 1890, the road to run from 




"D. & H." R. R. STATION, BALLSTON SPA. 



then called, was drawn by the locomotive 
"Fire-Fly," brought from England. The time 
occupied in the run was one hour and twenty- 
eight minutes. The "Fire-Fly" for many 
years stood in the railroad shops at Green 
Island, and is now preserved in the Smithso- 
nian Institute at Washington. 

The rails used were long strips of iron, 
three inches wide and half an inch thick, 
nailed to one edge of a horizontal timber about 
eight inches square. A piece of one of these 
primitive rails is in the High School museum 
in this village. Both locomotives and horses 
were used to draw the trains during the first 
year. 

The first railroad station was on Bath 
street, south of the tracks, where the flagman's 



Ballston Spa to Saratoga Springs. A num- 
ber of franchises were granted at later dates, 
all of which were forfeited. The Saratoga 
Traction Company secured a franchise in 
1899, and built the road from this village to 
Saratoga Springs, which is now a part of the 
system of The Hudson Valley Railway Com- 
pany. 

In 1896 a franchise was granted to Arthur 
B. Paine and associates, and the Ballston 
Terminal Railroad was constructed. This 
road runs through the beautiful Kayaderos- 
seras valley from Ballston Spa to Middle 
Grove, a distance of twelve miles. The com- 
pany is now known as the Eastern New York 
Railroad Company. Their business consists 
largely in carrying freight for the large num- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



113 



ber of mills on the Kayaderosseras. The ex- 
tension of the road through Galway to Am- 
sterdam and Johnstown is contemplated at an 
early day. 

The Schenectady and Saratoga electric 
road was opened in 1905. It is a double track 
road, and is one of the finest in the State. 

William Porter, now one of our oldest resi- 
dents, has a record of long and faithful ser- 
vice as a railroad employee almost, if not 
quite, without a parallel. He began work at 



Saratoga & Schenectady Rail Road. 



o 



N and afler this day, and antii further notice. Care 
will run 83 follows : 



From Sclionecladf going IMortls. 

Ist Train leaves Schenectady at 8 A. M. 
2d- . .. .. 8J P M. 

From Saratoga going South* 

1st Train leaves- Saratoga, at 12 W. 
2d 5i P. M. 



Ma; 28, 1849. 



L. R. SARGENT, Sup-t. 
llltf 



Old Advertisement. 

the railroad station in this village in 1844, at 
the age of fifteen, when the late George Bab- 
cock was station agent, and continued in ser- 
vice, in different positions, until about two 
years ago, when he retired from active work, 
after a service of sixty-one years in the same 
place. 

TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE. 

The first telegraph office was opened in 
the Railroad Station in 1853, nine years 
after Samuel F. B. Morse transmitted the 
first telegraphic message from Washington 
to Baltimore. The ofiice was in charge 
of George Babcock. The Ballston Journal 
of February 8, 1853, says: "With proper 
encouragement and patronage on the part 
of our citizens the office will be sustained, and 
may even be made profitable." 

The Western Union office still remains in 
the station. The Postal Telegraph has an of- 
fice on Bath street, between Front and Walnut 
streets. 

The first system of telephones was estab- 
lished in the village in 1882. This system is 
now operated by the Hudson River Telephone 
Company. 



The Commercial Union Telephone Com- 
pany was granted a franchise in 1901, and 
began business the following year. 



BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. 

The mineral springs of Ballston Spa were 
the first source of the prosperity and growth 
of the village. As the springs gradually failed, 
from unknown causes, still greater prosperity 
was assured to the village through its manu- 
facturing industries. Indeed, the building of 
dams on Gordon creek and the Kayaderos- 
seras was given as one of the causes of the 
decadence of the springs, no less an authority 
than Benjamin Silliman, the distinguished 
professor of chemistry at Yale College, say- 
ing that the holding back of these streams by 
the power dams erected, had doubtless caused 
the fresh water to find its way in large quan- 
tities through seams in the shale rocks, and to 
mingle with the sources of the mineral water, 
thus destroying their medicinal value. Others 
attributed the loss of the springs to repeated 
attempts to improve the water and increase 
the supply by retubing. 

When an attempt was made to retube the 
Public Well (the original spring), Joshua B. 
Aldridge predicted the ruin of the spring. 
Protesting very earnestly, he said: "My 
house is full of boarders; you might as well 
burn it down and destroy my business that 
way as to tamper with that spring." Had 
the present method of tubing deep wells, and 
the use of the seed-bag been known in those 
days, the history of this locality would doubt- 
less have been very materially changed. 
Whatever the cause, the springs failed, one 
by one, and Ballston Spa, which for half a 
century had maintained its supremacy as the 
first watering place and most renowned sum- 
mer resort in America, was soon far outstrip- 
ped by the sister village of Saratoga Springs, 
which has since become the world's most fa- 
mous watering place. 

The excellent water power furnished by the 
Kayaderosseras now commanded attention, 
and manufactories sprang up along the 
stream, not only in the village, but also up the 
stream as far north as Rock City Falls, all 
being tributary to the business growth and 
permanent prosperity of Ballston Spa. 



114 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY Of BALLSTON SPA 



BANKS. 

The first Bank in Saratoga County was the 
Saratoga County Bank, at Waterford, estab- 
lished in 1830. Among the members of the 
first board of directors were Samuel Cook, of 
Ballston Spa, and Miles Beach, of Saratoga 
Springs. In the year 1878, nearly half a cen- 
tury later, we find that Ballston Spa was still 
represented in the board, by John W. Thomp- 
son. 



cashier ; John J. Lee, teller. Mr. Cook con- 
tinued as president until January, 1856, when 
he resigned to accept the appointment of Su- 
perintendent of the State Banking Depart- 
ment. John W. Thompson was elected presi- 
dent February 26, 1856. Isaac Fowler on 
April 1st accepted the cashiership of a bank 
at Saratoga Springs, and John J. Lee was 
then promoted to cashier, and Robert Bennett 
was chosen teller. Mr. Bennett died in 1872. 



i^<!MjS%^u,.jiim 




BALLSTON SPA BANKS AND SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 



The second Bank was the Ballston Spa 
Bank, organized in 1838. Prior to this time 
the banking business of the village was done 
at Schenectady, Waterford and Troy. Upon 
the passage of the general banking law of the 
State in 1838, James M. Cook at once took 
steps toward instituting a Bank in Ballston 
Spa, and late that year the organization was 
completed, and tlie Bank commenced business 
May 15, 1839. The first board of directors 
were James M. Cook, John W. Thompson, 
Lebbeus Booth, Jonathan S. Beach, Isaac 
Frink, Anson Brown, Samuel Freeman, Eli 
Barnum, Stephen Smith, Jolm Kelley, Har- 
vey Chapman, Philip H. McOmber, Samuel 
Hides. James M. Cook was chosen president ; 
Lebbeus Booth, vice-president; Isaac Fowler, 



George L. Thompson succeeded him as teller. 
On the death of John J. Lee in 1887, Mr. 
Thompson became cashier, and was elected 
president after the decease of his father, John 
W. Thompson, in 1892. He was president 
until his death, December 29, 1895. Andrew 
S. Booth became president in January, 1896. 
Thomas Kerley was chosen teller in 1887, and 
cashier in 1892, succeeding George L. Thomp- 
son in both positions. Egbert Clute was the 
successor of Thomas Kerley as tpHer in 1892. 
In 1865 the Bank was reorganized under 
the national banking law as the Ballston Spa 
National Bank. The present officers are An- 
drew S. Booth, president ; William G. Ball, 
vice-president; Thomas Kerley, cashier; Eg- 
bert Clute and Charles O. McCreedy, Jr., tell- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



115 



ers. The Directors for 1907 are William G. 
Ball, Andrew S. Booth, John H. Burke, Theo- 
dore S. Haight, Thomas Kerley, William H. 
Knickerbacker, James T. Sweetman. 

The First National Bank of Ballston Spa 
was organized April i, 1865. The first di- 
rectors were Hiro Jones, James W. Horton, 
Henry A. Mann, James O. Leach, William 
Warner, Elisha Comstock, A. S. Whitlock, 
L. W. Bristol, John McLean, John D. Ban- 
croft, Rensselaer Ketchum, John H. Westcot, 
C. M. Noxon. At the first meeting of the di- 
rectors Hiro Jones was elected president; 
Henry A. Mann, vice-president; J. D. Ban- 
croft, cashier; George C. Beecher, teller. Ste- 
phen C. Medbery succeeded Mr. Beecher as 
teller, September 3, 1866. On the resignation, 
on account of ill health, of Hiro Jones, March 
5, 1S79, Hon. George West was chosen presi- 
dent, and on the decease of Mr. West in 1901, 
Hon. J. S. L'Amoreaux was elected his suc- 
cessor. Mr. Bancroft removed to Kansas 
City, Mo., in December, 1S81, and Mr. Med- 
bery succeeded him as cashier. 

The present officers of the Bank are J. S. 
L'Amoreaux, president; H. J. Donaldson, 
vice-president; S. C. Medbery, cashier; R. M. 
Medbery, teller. The board of directors are 
J. S. L'Amoreaux, H. J. Donaldson, S. C. 
Medbery. D. W. Mabee, M. J. Esmond, W. A. 
Mehan, H. C. Westcot, Gilbert T. Seelve, F. 
H. Beach. 

MANUFACTirRES. 

Before the year 1800 Daniel Thomas and 
Hezekiah Middlebrook erected dams and es- 
tablished grist-mills on the Kayaderosseras. 
The Middlebrook mill stood a short distance 
west of the site in later years occupied by the 
"Blue Mill." The Thomas mill was some dis- 
tance further up the stream, about where the 
pulp mill is situated. About 1825 Epenetus 
White, Jr., erected the mill so long known as 
the Red Mill, in the west end of the village, 
on Gordon creek. In 1830 Hezekiah Middle- 
brook built the high dam and the large .grist- 
mill known as the Blue Mill, this building, 
with the large additions being now owned 
and occupied by the L'nion Bag and Paper 
Company. The grist-mills of the present day 
are those of Wm. S. Wheeler's Son, on High 
street, and of David Lewis, on Malta avenue. 

The large brick factory on Gordon creek, 



west of Bath street, now one of the tannery 
buildings, was erected in 18 13 by Nicholas 
Low and Benjamin Peck, for the manufacture 
of woolen, cotton and linen goods, the business 
name being "The Ballston Spa Company." 
The large steam engine to operate the mill 
was imported from England. When the fac- 
tory had been in operation for three or four 
weeks, the great "walking-beam" broke, and 
so much damage was done that the enterprise 
was abandoned. The building remained un- 
occupied, except for a short time as a cider re- 
finery, for nearly forty years. About 1850 
Messrs. Booth, Wait, Moore, Wakeman and 
Thomas, under the name of Wakeman & Com- 
pany, purchased the property and began the 
manufacture of oil cloth. A few years later 
John Wait became sole owner, and continued 
the business until his death in 1875. The 
building was afterward occupied by Blitters- 
dorfT & Company as a paper box factory ; by 
Allen & Heaton, manufacturers of emery 
wheels, and is now one of the principal build- 
ings of the American Hide and Leather Com- 
pany. 

As early as 1810 John Carter had a tannery 
on the small creek which flows across West 
High street into Gordon creek. About the 
same time Moses Williams had a tannery on 
the Kayaderosseras a short distance east of 
the Blue Mill. He also carried on a boot and 
shoe factory. 

Stephen H. White in 1806 was engaged in 
the business of fulling, dyeing and dressing 
of the home-made cloths of those early days. 

The Milton Factory for the carding of wool 
was in operation at Factory Village in 1813, 
and was still doing business in 1830. 

In 1810 Benjamin Hall established an iron- 
forge on the small island which for many 
years has been known as "Goose island," near 
the bridge over the Kayaderosseras. This 
island was once a favorite camping ground of 
the Mohawks. 

In 1836 Jonathan S. Beach and Harvey 
Chapman bought seventy-two acres of land 
on the east side of Milton street between 
North High street and Malta avenue. Soon 
after they built the lower dam, and erected a 
woolen mill. In 1840 they built a cotton fac- 
tory farther east, and in 1844 Beach & Chap- 
man erected the third mill, also a cotton mill, 
which is now the Island paper mill. A few 



116 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



years later these three mills were purchased 
by Samuel H. Cook and James M. Cook. 
They were operated by the Cooks until 1864, 
in manufacturing cotton cloth and patent 
seamless cotton bags. Jonas A. Hovey then 
bought all this Island property, and the two 
larger factories were used for manufacturing 
cotton for calicoes. 

In 1844 the Ballston Mill^ Company was or- 
ganized by Harvey Chapman, Jonathan S. 



paper bag mill. In 1865 Mr. Hovey also pur- 
chased this mill, thus becoming the owner of 
all the factories in the village with the single 
exception of the oil-cloth factory. He con- 
tinued to operate all the mills until his death 
in 1875. 

In 1850 Beach & Chapman built the mill 
known as the Glen Woolen Mill. This mill 
was operated as a blanket and cloth mill by 
different parties for more than thirty years. 




RED MILL POND, BALLSTON SPA. 



Beach, James Thompson, John W. Thomp- 
son, George Thompson, Lebbeus Booth and 
others. They purchased the land and water- 
power west of Milton street, north of Gordon 
creek, and south of the property of Blood & 
Thomas. The first owners of this land were 
Hezekiah Middlebrook and Daniel Thomas. 
The Ballston Mill Company erected the Union 
Cotton mill on the site of the present Union 
Paper mill. Ziba Cook operated this factory, 
manufacturing print cloths until 1855, when 
the property passed into the hands of Jonas 
A. Hovey. The same company built the 
brick knitting mill on the hill west of the 
Union mill. Chapman & Morris, also Jones 
& Bassett, and finally Hiro Jones occupied 
this building as a knitting mill. This build- 
ing, enlarged by George West, is now the 



The mill site is now occupied by the Glen 
Pulp Mill, erected by George West in 1882. 

J. S. Jones & Company manufactured hoes 
in 1853, and for some years did quite an ex- 
tensive business. 

B. J. Barber had a large planing mill and 
foundry on the top of the hill above the Glen 
Woolen Mill. He was also the inventor and 
manufacturer of a fine water-wheel. 

Seth Whalen and Samuel F. Day were also 
the inventors of superior water wheels, which 
were manufactured in the foundries of Arnold 
Harris. 

J. B. Cheydleur had an extensive carriage 
factory on Milton avenue, on the south bank 
of the Kayaderosseras. 

The large tannery of Chauncey and Arthur 
Parent was on Saratoga avenue, at the turn 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



117 



of the street to the north. It was afterward 
operated by M. Schwarz & Company for twen- 
ty years. The tannery was destroyed by fire 
in 1886. 

E. H. Chapman began the manufacture of 
brick in 1867, on the level ground along the 
eastern shore of the Kayaderosseras just 
north of the red bridge. He continued the 
business for some years, until the clay bank 
was exhausted. 



company made 21,000,000 paper collars, and 
about 5,000,000 paper cuffs. 

A short distance north of the corporation 
limits, were the axe and scythe works estab- 
lished in 1824 by Isaiah Blood. He contin- 
ued the business until his death in 1870; it 
then passed into the hands of his son-in-law, 
Henry Knickerbacker, of New York, who, 
some years later sold the works to the Ameri- 
can Axe and Edge Tool Company. The 




SCYTHE SHOP OF ISAIAH BLOOD UN \'\iV. KAYADEROSSERAS 



King & Kosengarten, and Charles Blitters- 
dorflf were large manufacturers of paper 
boxes. J. L. Hempstead & Company man- 
ufactured soap. George E. Knox hoop skirts 
and corsets. Farlin Brothers, shirts, collars 
and cuffs. 

S. F. Day & Company for a few years man- 
ufactured telegraph instruments, of which 
Mr. Day was the inventor. 

The Glen Paper Collar Company organized 
in 1868, by Horace J. Medbery and Henry A. 
Mann, Jr., for a number of years had one of 
the largest establishments of the kind in the 
United States. It was located in an exten- 
sive addition to the Blue Mill. The com- 
pany used the entire output of the large paper 
mill of Mann & Lafiin, about two miles up 
the Kayaderosseras. In the year 1875 this 



scythe shop was destroyed by fire March 13, 
1900, and the axe shop was burned a few 
years earlier. The shops were not rebuilt, 
and the business was transferred to the 
works of the company at Glassport, Pa. From 
two hundred to three hundred men were em- 
ployed in these shops, and the quantity of 
goods sold yearly was very large— 12,000 
dozen of scythes, 8,000 dozen of axes, and 
10,000 dozen of other tools. 

All of the foregoing industries in their day 
contributed in a greater or less degree to 
the making of the Ballston Spa of the pres- 
ent. The changes which the hand of Time 
writes on the historic page of every com- 
munity are strikingly apparent in the record 
of our village, none of these industries sur- 
viving in Ballston Spa. 



118 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Notwithstanding this fact, Ballston Spa to- 
day is one of the busiest and most thriving 
manufacturing villages in Saratoga county, 
and a larger number find employment in its 
mills and shops than ever before. 

Along the Kayaderosseras from Ballston 
Spa to Middle Grove, a distance of twelve 
miles, were located in 1861, and for many 
years afterward, a number of paper mills, 
and a large tannery at Milton Centre. The 
paper mills were those of John McLean, 
Chauncey H. Cook, afterward Mann & Laf- 
lin, L. M. Crane, the Pioneer Mill, at West 
Milton, Kilmer's Mill, the Excelsior and 
Empire Mills of George West, at Rock City 
Falls, and the two mills of Mr. West at Mid- 
dle Grove. The shipping station for all these 
mills was Ballston Spa, and the enormous 
yearly business contributed to swell the vol- 
ume of trade credited to the village. All 
but three of these paper mills are still in ex- 
istence. 

INDUSTRIES OF TO-D.\Y. 

George West, a native of England, and an 
expert paper maker, came to Ballston Spa in 
1861, just at the opening of the civil war. 
When cotton reached so high a value and was 
so scarce, that the manufacture of cotton 
bags was well nigh impossible, Mr. West 
began the manufacture of bags from manilla 
paper, and before he retired from business 
about thirty-five years later, was the largest 
manufacturer of manilla paper and paper 
bags in the world. He started in business by 
leasing the Empire Mill at Rock City Falls, 
with a capital of about $4,000. ' Within a 
year he purchased the mill, and in later years 
built and bought other mills along the Kayad- 
erosseras. In 1S75 he purchased all the 
Hovey mills in Ballston Spa, and was running 
night and day ten large mills and was the 
largest employer of labor the village has ever 
had. His employees numbered more than 
five hvmdred, and the business grew to enor- 
mous proportions. This business is now in 
the control of the Union Bag and Paper Com- 
pany. 

In 1882 Messrs. Haight & Company pur- 
chased the oil-cloth factory and removed 
their large tannery business from Milton 
Centre to Ballston Spa, the buildings at the 
former place iiavint^ been destroyed by fire. 



Building after building was added to meet 
the increasing business, until the plant as- 
sumed its present mammoth dimensions. 
After the death of Mr. Haight the business 
was conducted by his two sons, H. Vassar 
Haight and Theodore S. Haight, and his part- 
ner, Matthew Vassar, until the property was 
sold to the American Hide and Leather Com- 
pany. It is one of the largest manufactories 
of fine upper leather in the United States. 
About five hundred people are employed. 

Two years ago Davison & Namack pur- 
chased the foundry of the Messrs. Uline on 
Bath street. Their business increased so 
rapidly that about a year since they erected 
a large foundry in the southeastern part of 
the village, near the tracks of the Delaware 
& Hudson railroad. Their work is largely 
for the General Electric Company at Sche- 
nectady, and the business is constantly grow- 
ing. They now employ more than one hun- 
dred men. 

These three leading industries of the vil- 
lage give employment to more than one thou- 
sand people. 

The Eagle Wood Working Company, man- 
ufacturers of souvenirs and rustic wood novel- 
ties, are located on Milton avenue, northside. 

C. H. Streever & Sons, contractors and 
builders, have large planing mills and exten- 
sive lumber yards. 

D. Manogue, contractor and builder, has a 
large planing mill and lumber yard on Bath 
street. 

C. B. Lord is proprietor of the old Arnold 
Harris iron foundry on Ford street. 

The Sanitation and Supply Company man- 
ufacture insect powder, sanitary powder, 
stable powder. Zoo cage powder and fumigat- 
ing powder, under the trade mark of "No- 
smelle." The manufactory is on Middlebrook 
street, the business offices being at No. 320 
Fifth avenue. New York City. 

C. N. Mead has a large bottling business 
on Malta avenue, where he manufactures a 
superior line of soft drinks of about a dozen 
varieties. 

M. T. Reynolds is proprietor of the large 
planing mill on South street formerly known 
as the Eagle Wood and Iron Works of B. J. 
Barker and R. C. Vandenburgh. 

The Ballston Refrigerating Storage Com- 
pany was incorporated in October, 1898. The 




UXIOX BAO AXD PAPER COjMPANY PLANT. 




SOME OF BALI.^l.'N aPA'S INDUSTRIES. 



120 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



brick building opposite the railroad station, 
for many years known as Waverly Hall, and 
later as Gould Hall, contained the first cold 
storage plant of the Company. A very large 
addition was erected in 1901, which nearly 
quadrupled the storage capacity. It is the 
largest cold storage plant in Northern New 
York. Louis Schwarz is the manager. 

The latest addition to the industrial pur- 
suits of the village is the Automobile Garage 
of George West, at the corner of Front street 
and Milton avenue. It is one of the largest 
and most completely equipped establishments 
in the State. The machine shop is supplied 
with machinery and tools of the finest de- 
scription. 

MERCANTILE INTERESTS. 

It is impossible to mention in detail the 
mercantile establishments. To speak of the 
stores and shops, and of the men and women 
who have been devoted to "trade," for a 
period of more than one hundred years would 
of itself fill a large volume. 

The "general store," the forerunner of the 
"department store" of to-day, was the great 
institution of the hamlets and villages of 
earliest times. Here was to be found the 
"post-office ;" and here during the long winter 
evenings, gathered around the roaring old 
box stove, the village solons discussed the 
aflfairs of the town, state and nation. Even 
the tap-room of the village tavern possessed 
no superior attractions, nor did the villagers 
congregate there in greater numbers than at 
the "general store." 

The first store of this character in Ballston 
Spa was that of Epenetus White, Jr., who 
erected a store and dwelling house combined, 
opposite the spring, about the year 1792. For 
more than fifty years Mr. White continued 
his business in this store, and it was contin- 
uously occupied as a store for almost a cen- 
tury, and until the building was burned in 
March, 1887. 

In 1807, the year of the organization of 
the village, the Saratoga Advertiser published 
at Court House Hill, contained the follow- 
ing Ballston Spa advertisements : 

Epenetus White, Jun., & Co., dry goods 
and groceries, hardware and crockery. 

Archy Kasson and Amos Allcott, under 
the firm name of Kasson & Alcott, successors 



to D. & A. Alcott, "inform the public that 
they will continue the business of nail and 
tin makers; also dry goods, groceries, hard- 
ware and crockery." 

Barnum & Loomis were saddlers and har- 
ness makers; Nathan Lewis, merchant tailor; 
and William E. Slocum, of Milton advertises 
his carding machine. 

Elias P. Langworthy, who was a skilled 
mechanic as well as an able preacher of the 
gospel, tenders his services to the public as a 
watch and clock maker, jeweler and gun- 
smith ; also hardware for sale. 

Danforth Charles manufactured boots and 
shoes ; Grant Powell was a druggist ; John 
Warren dealt in dry goods and groceries, and 
Samis Blakely was a "white and black smith." 

"Shepherd's Grist Mill," was advertised 
by the proprietor, William Shepherd. 

William Anthony divided the watch-mak- 
ing business with Elder Langworthy; and 
Stephen H. White conducted the business of 
"fulling, dyeing and dressing of cloths." 

Joel Lee conducted a "general store," in 
which the post-office was located. 

From the fact that even in those early 
years every man engaged in business made 
it known through the local papers, one may 
be quite confident that the foregoing fully 
represents the business of the little village at 
that time. 

We have no copy of a village paper from 
1807 until the year 1813. The Independent 
American, meantime had been purchased by 
James Comstock, and removed to Ballston 
Spa, and we learn from a reading of the ad- 
vertisements that during this period Moses 
Williams has established himself in business 
as a shoemaker, and is about to start a tan- 
nery ; Samuel Smith has engaged in mer- 
chant tailoring, and Mrs. Flint is a milliner 
and mantua maker. 

A bookstore, with a reading-room attach- 
ment, is kept by Mr. Comstock, of the 
"American," and Reuben Sears also has a 
bookstore. In 1815 R. Westcot & Co. adver- 
tise a "New Store" for the sale of dry goods, 
groceries, and crockery. In 1818 the "Co." 
disappeared from the advertisement, and 
Reuben Westcot announced the addition of 
a complete stock of dnigs and medicines. In 
later years the firm became R. Westcot & Son, 
the dry goods and grocery department was 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



121 



given up, and the firm continued as Druggists. 
On the death of Reuben Westcot, he was suc- 
ceeded by his son, John H. Westcot, who 
carried on the business until his death in 1895. 
The business has since been conducted by 
Herbert C. Westcot, son of John H. Westcot. 
Estabhshed by Reuben Westcot nearly one 
hundred years ago, it is the only instance, in 
the history of the village, of a business con- 
tinuously maintained in the same family from 
earliest times to the present. 

In 1815, Al'cott & Langworthy were asso- 
ciated in the hardware business ; and Joel Lee 
and Eli Barnum, as "Lee & Barnum" were 
running a general store. The second drug 
store in town was opened during this year by 
John Bennett. 

In 1820 Joel Marble, stone cutter, removed 
from Court House Hill to the village, and 
very appropriately advertises white marble 
headstones. 

In 1 82 1 Allcott & Langworthy added a 
foundry to their hardware business, and man- 
ufactured plows and harrows. 

In 1822 Miss Katie Bradley, milliner and 
mantua maker, makes her bow to the public 
in the columns of the village papers. Heze- 
kiah Cutler advertises a chair factory; Ed- 
ward A. Watrous has removed his general 
store from Court House Hill to Ballston Spa. 

In 1823 Lyman B. Langworthy, son of 
"Elder" Langworthy, advertises as a dealer 
in hardware and stoves. This was the first 
store to deal exclusively in hardware. 

In 1825 Robert Bennett advertises hats, 
caps and gentlemen's goods; and the an- 
nouncement of saddle and harness making 
by Czar H. Benedict appears. Mrs. Peck- 
ham also advertises her millinery store. 

In 1 83 1 Samuel Hides, " black and white 
smith," announces that he has just opened a 
shop for general "Smithy" business, fully 
equipped for doing the best work. 

In 1834 Joel Lee took his son Edward W. 
into partnership, with the firm name of Joel 
Lee & Son! 

In 1837 Parent & Ashley established a hat 
factory. 

In 1836 John McKown announces that he 
has just opened a cabinet ware factory, east 
of the Sans Souci, and says, "most kinds of 
country produce received in payment for cab- 
inet work." His "factory" stood where the 



Tracy block is now located. Mr. McKown 
was also an undertaker, and continued in busi- 
ness for half a century. 

In this year James W. Horton began busi- 
ness as a druggist, from which he retired 
when elected county clerk in 1845. In this 
year, also, Arnold Harris and James H. Speir 
engaged in the hardware business, the firm 
being Speir & Harris. 

In 1837 Harvey N. Hill opened a "new gro- 
cery and provision store"; after a lapse of 
seventy years we find his son-in-law, George 
M. Cook, of the Cook-Phillips Company, en- 
gaged in the same business. 

In this year Bernard McKittrick, father of 
Capt. Wm. H. McKittrick, of Mexican and 
civil war fame, advertised a hat factory. Syl- 
vester Blood, successor of Blood & Davis, was 
a hardware merchant; and Harvey Chapman 
and John D. Hale, as Chapman & Hale, dealt 
in dry goods, groceries, etc. This store was 
in the brick building known as the Clapp 
building, on Milton avenue. In later years 
Russell P. Clapp succeeded to the business. 
On his appointment as Secretary of the Troy 
Steamboat company the store was closed. 

In 1845 Edward W. Lee succeeded to the 
general store business of Joel Lee & Son. The 
store of Joel Lee for forty years was on the 
corner now occupied by the First National 
Bank. 

George R. Thomas opened a hardware store 
in this year, at the corner of Milton avenue 
and Ford street. The firm was afterward 
Jones & Thomas. They were succeeded by 
J. S. & J. B. Thomas ; Joesph S. Thomas and 
C. E. Tallmadge. The store is now occupied 
by F. W. Watts, plumber. 

John Barrett also opened a boot and shoe 
store on Front street the same year. 

In 1847 O. D. Vaughn's marble works are 
advertised ; Wm. W. Arnold has opened a 
large furniture store on South street, and John 
J. Luther is a maker of saddles and harness. 

In 1848 George W. Lee and Henry A. 
Mann, as Lee & Mann, are conducting a gen- 
eral store at the south east corner of Front 
and Bath streets, and Anthony Hicks is sell- 
ing boots and shoes in his store on Front 
street, nearly opposite. 

In 1846 James F. Peckham, a native of 
Ballston Spa, learned the trade of harness 
maker, and opened a shop in 1852, which he 



122 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



conducted successfully for fifty-three years, 
retiring from business two years ago. 

About the same time, his cousin, George 
W. Peckham opened a blacksmith shop and 
continued the business until his death about 
five years ago. For forty years he occupied 
the well-known shop, built by him, on Ham- 
ilton street. 

Abram Gary was at this time engaged in 
the boot and shoe business on Milton avenue. 
He was a shoemaker by trade, and also kept 
a good stock of ready-made boots and shoes. 

In 1848 William Harris announced that he 
had "purchased the hardware business of 
Arnold Harris, and would continue the same." 
Arnold Harris was at this time county treas- 
urer, and a year later repurchased the busi- 
ness. 

In this year L. W. Bristol began business 
in Ballston Spa, as a dealer in dry goods, 
groceries, crockery, etc., first door north of 
the Baptist church on Milton avenue. Two 
years later he purchased the store of Arthur 
Parent, hatter, on Bath street, and retired 
from the general store business, to establish 
a large business as hatter, furrier, and dealer 
in gents' furnishing goods. 

In 1852 Magnus Schwarz and Louis 
Muhlfelder, under the firm name of M. 
Schwarz & Gompany, opened a general store 
at the corner of Milton avenue and Ford 
street where they continued in business for 
about twenty years. Mr. Schwarz then pur- 
chased the Parent tannery, which he carried 
on until it was burned in 1886. 

In 1854 George B. Lawrence opened a har- 
ness shop, and for nearly forty j'ears conduct- 
ed the business at the corner of Bath and 
Washington streets. 

From this time until the close of the first 
half centur)' of village life, a number of stores 
were opened which had an existence of only 
a few years. Among the most important 
were the stores of .-X. & D. W. Garrett, gen- 
eral store ; the Union store ; Francis Bassett, 
dry goods; A. P. Hemphill, books; C. E. 
Jones, hardware ; Wheeler K. Booth, dry 
goods and groceries. During this period R. 
T. Wade, who had carried on a large book 
store for many years, sold to H. Crapo. 

In concluding this sketch of the mercantile 
life of our village, we can only mention the 
names of those, prominent in business circles, 



who have either passed away or have retired 
from business. Let it be the pleasant duty of 
some future historian to write of the busi- 
ness life and business men of the present day. 
The names follow : 

E. W. Lee, Henry A. Mann, M. Schwarz & Co., 
(Ixiuis Muhlfelder), William Brown, Charles M. 
Brown, S. B. Jackson, C. F. Wheeler, general stores; 
L. P. Seelye, C. M. Noxon, Albert P. Blood, C. F. 
Wiley, J. D. Muhlfelder, T. C. Kelley. dry goods; 
L. W. Bristol, hatter and furrier; Samuel Gould, 
Samuel Gould, Jr., E. C. Parkinson, William H. 
Phillips, George Phillips, grocers; Thomas Padg- 
ham, William Devlin, John Byrnes, butchers; M. L. 
Williams, John PI. Westcot, Henry Hunt, George 
M. Winne, Wm. J. Redmond, Frank E. Mitchell, 
druggists ; John Barrett, William H. Dodge, E. D. 
Babcock, Wm. H. Stewart, boots and shoes ; Arnold 
Harris, A. J. Holdridge, George R. Thomas, John 
B. Thomas, Joseph S. Thomas, Charles E. Jones, 
Sanford Smith, Wells A. Lafiin, hardware; Eli Set- 
tle, Elisha Wickham, Alonzo M. Shepherd, Wm. S. 
Wheeler, millers; David Maxwell, George C. 
Beecher, John D. Bancroft, Henry C. Dater, M. J. Es- 
mond, insurance; John D. Osborn, S. H. Van Steen- 
burgh, bakers ; Samuel F. Day, Henry L. West, 
Robert A. Merchant, watchmakers and jewelers; 
Isaiah Massey, Charles Massey, Charles N. Mc- 
Clew, Charles Carpenter, John Larchar, Benjamin 
Henry, Morris King, tailors and clothiers: Mrs. A. 
P. Blood, Misses Margaret and Anna Van Ness, 
Mrs. E. C. Hoyt, Mrs. T. C. Kelley, milliners; John 
J., Samuel H., and Henry Luther, liquor dealers; 
Abner S. Irish, James D. Leroy, James L Boocock, 
George Ayers, blacksmiths; Benjamin J. Barber, 
Smith Hovey, David Thompson, Abijah Comstock, 
Joseph Cole, lumber, and sash and blind shops; 
Joseph Horr, N. Reed Vandenburgh, Foster Con- 
nery, George Dunn, Anthony M. Smith, James P. 
Locklin, William Locklin, carpenters and builders; 
S. L. Smith, S. D. Arnold, George E. Knox, dentists; 
L. R. Bronk, J. N. Ramsdill, T. J. Arnold, pho- 
tographers ; Edward Gilborne, John McKown, Philip 
N. Viele, Rush H. Young, Jesse Young, Peter A. 
Finley, A. J. Fenton, undertakers. 

Among the proprietors of our hotels dur- 
ing this period, have been : D. B. Bartlett, 
Nathaniel M. Clark, George W. Hall, George 
Smith, of the Sans Souci ; S. B. Medbery, 
Frank Ctmningham, Medbery's hotel ; Wm. 
W. Day, Oliver Shepherd, Martin Lee, Eagle 
hotel; Lewis Sickler, Railroad House and 
Ballston Spa House ; Simeon B. Lanehart, 
Ballston Spa House and Union hotel ; G. W. 
Smith, S. M. Arnold, George D. "Story, Balls- 
ton Spa House ; H. G. Holmes, Gleason's 
hotel ; Henry Harrison, G. T. Peek, James E. 
Marsden, Harrison House; Sherman Hayner, 
Hayner House. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



123 



THE PROFESSIONS. 

.\inong those who have attained eminence 
in the legal profession, from earliest times to 
the present, have been Judge James Thomp- 
son, James Emott, son-in-law of Beriah Pal- 
mer, later of Poughkeepsie, and known as 
Judge Emott of the Supreme Court through- 
out the State, Samuel Cook, John W. Taylor, 
Samuel Young, Levi H. Palmer, Anson 
Brown, George G. Scott, Abel Meeker, Wil- 



man, B. W. Noxon, Joseph G. Smith, and H. 
W. Lawrence. 

One of the leading institutions of the village 
is the Spa Sanatorium, established by Dr. A. 
L Thayer in May, 1902. Dr. Thayer pur- 
chased the large mansion on High street, for 
so many years the home of Judge Scott. The 
delightful surroundings, the invigorating ?ir 
of the lower Adirondacks, and the Doctor's 
medical skill, have conspired to make the San- 
atorium a success from the first. 




THE SPA .'JANATORIUM, HIGH STREET. 
Formerly the residence of Judge George G. Scott. 



Ham T. Odell, Clement C. Hill and Theodore 
F. Hamilton. 

The first physicians to locate in the village 
were Drs. Samuel Pitkin and Samuel Free- 
man. They were eminent men in their pro- 
fession, and practiced with great success for 
many years. Dr. Freeman's home was on 
High street, where the residence of Mrs. An- 
drew Smith is now located. The last years of 
his life were spent in Saratoga Springs. 
Among Ballston's prominent physicians we 
may mention Leverett Moore, for fifty years 
the leading practitioner in the village; Drs. 
Eliphalet St. John, A. J. Chadsey, D. W. Cul- 
ver, Charles T. Harris, Charles H. Andrus, 
Levi Weed, Tames F. Doolittic, F. A. Sher- 



TKUSTEES AXD PRESIDENTS. 

1807-08 — ^Joshua B. Aldridge, Stephen H. White, 
Nathan Lewis. 

iSog-io — ^Joshua B. Aldridge, Epenetus White, 
Jr., Amos AUcott. 

1811-12 — Elisha P. Langworlhy, Gideon Luther, 
Epenetus White, Jr. 

1S13-14 — Elisha P. Langworthy, Epenetus White, 
Jr., Archy Kasson. 

1815 — Farquhar McBain, Epenetus White, Jr., 
Moses Williams. 

1816 — Farquhar McBain, Moses Williams, Amos 
B. Allcott. 

1817 — Farquhar McBain, Amos Allcott, Elisha 
P. Langworthy. 

1818— Lyman B. Langworthy, .Andrew Watrous, 
Rowland .A.. Wright. 



124 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



1819 — Elisha P. Langworthy, Farquhar McBain, 
Amos Allcott. 

1820-21 — Epenetus White, Farquhar McBain, 
David Cory. 

1822 — Ehsha P. Langworthy, Epenetus White, Jr., 
David Cory. 

1823-4-5 — Elisha P. Langworthy, Epenetus White, 
Jr., Farquhar McBain. 

1826— Elisha P. Langworthy, Jonathan Williams, 
Edward Watrous. 

1827 — Thomas Palmer, Stephen Seaman, Andrew 
Watrous. 

1828 — Thomas Palmer, Samuel Smith, Hiram 
Middlebrook. 

1829 — Samuel Smith, Alpheus Goodrich, Hiram 
Middlebrook. 

1830 — James M. Cook, Czar H. Benedict, Joseph 
B. Mellen. 

1831 — Thomas Palmer, .Mpheus Goodrich, Harvey 
Loomis. 

1832— Philip H. McOmber, Rowland A. Wright, 
Robert Bennett. 

1833 — Stephen Smith, Jonathan Williams, Joseph 
Jennings. 

1834 — Oran G. Otis, Stephen Smith, David F. 
White. 

183s — John W. Taylor, George Thompson, Jona- 
than S. Beach. 

1836 — John Carter, Jr., William G. Weed, James 
Remington. 

1837 — Stephen Fuller, Stephen Smith, Reuben 
Westcot. 

1838 — Stephen Fuller, Jesse K. Manning, Reuben 
Westcot. 

1839 — Lebbeus Booth, Samuel Hides, John Carter. 

1840 — John Carter, Joseph Jennings, Rowland A. 
Wright. 

1841— John Wait, Richard Chase, Mitchell Black. 

In 1842 the number of Trustees was increased to 
five, and the Board elected one of their number Vil- 
lage President. 

1842-3 — ^James M. Cook, president; Reuben West- 
cot, John Wait, Nathaniel M. Clark, Philip H. Mc- 
Omber. 

1844 — James M. Cook, president; Nathaniel M. 
Clark, Reuben Westcot, Philip H. McOmber, James 
W. Horton. 

184s — James M. Cook, president ; James W. Hor- 
ton, Wheeler K. Booth, Abel Meeker, Samuel Hides. 

1846 — Abel Meeker, president; James W. Horton, 
Wheeler K. Booth, Samuel H. Cook, Harvey Chap- 
man. 

1847 — Abel Meeker, president; John McKown, 
John Tarrant, Callender Beecher, Samuel H. Cook. 

1848 — Samuel H. Cook, president; Abel Meeker, 
Edward W. Lee, Richard Chase, Amos W. Cook. 

1849 — Abel Meeker, president ; Richard Chase, 
Samuel H. Cook. Squire Burnett, John McKown. 

1850 — George Thompson, president; Job Collamer, 
Albert D. W. Garrett, Stephen B. Medbery, Hiram 
Hall. 

1851 — Reuben Westcot, president; Arthur Parent, 
John Tarrant, Daniel W. Culver, Albert A. Munn. 



1852 — -George Babcock. president ; John Tarrant, 
Samuel Hides, George R. Thomas, Anthony Hicks. 

1853— William T. Odell, president; James W. 
Morris, Anthony Tarrant, Samuel Hides, Lawrence 
W. Bristol. 

1854 — Lawrence W. Bristol, president; Augustus 
J. Goffe, Orville D. Vaughn, Anthony Tarrant, Sid- 
ney Dubois. 

185s — Reuben Westcot, president; John Wait, 
James W. Culver, Edwin H. Chapman, Edwin Hall, 

1856 — Edwin H. Chapman, president; Adam Wil- 
ber, James W. Culver, John Wait, M. Lemet Wil- 
liams. 

1857 — ^James O. Leach, president ; Joseph Jennings, 
William W. Day, John B. McLean, William W. 
Arnold. 

1858 — Edward Gilborne, president; James F. 
Peckh?m, Alexander Van Epps, James D. Leroy, 
John B. Thomas. 

1859 — Seymour Chase, president ; David Maxwell," 
Hiro Jones, James Allison, John S. Ford. 

i860 — Hiro Jones, president ; David Maxwell, 
James Allison, Seymour Chase, John S. Ford. ■ 

1861 — Albert P. Blood, president; Hiram M. 
Sherman, George W. Chapman, Jesse S. L'Amor- 
eaux, John H. Wescot. 

1862 — David Maxwell, president : Lawrence W. 
Bristol, Michael St. John, Adam Wilber, James D. 
Leroy. 

1863 — Levi Weed, president ; Michael St. John, 
Leverett Moore, John H. Westcot, Hiram M. Sher- 
man. 

1864 — John Wait, president; Benjamin F. Allen, 
Edwin H. Chapman, David Maxwell, Edward D. 
Babcock. 

186s — David Maxwell, president ; James F. Hurd, 
Morgan Lewis, Nelson R. Vandenburgh, William 
Warner. 

1866-7 — John H. Westcot, president; Henry A. 
Mann, Jesse S. L'Amoreaux, Leverett Moore, John 
S. Ford. 

1868-9 — George G. Scott, president; James F. 
Peckham, George Smith, Charles J. Newton, John 
B. Thomas. 

1870 — Henry A. Mann, president; Charles J. New- 
ton, Seth Whalen, Philip N. Viele, David Maxwell. 

1871 — Henry A. Mann, president ; S. H. Van 
Steenburgh, Alvah C. Dake, James F. Peckham, N. 
R. Vandenburgh. 

1872-3 — Henry A. Mann, president; Alvah C. 
Dake, N. R. Vandenburgh, James F. Peckham, John 
H. Westcot. 

1874 — Albert P. Blood, president ; William Gar- 
rett, Michael Rhatigan, Henry A. Mann, James F. 
Peckham. 

1875 — Henry A. Mann, president; Stephen C. 
Medbery, Smith Hovey, Joseph S. Thomas, George 
M. Winne. 

1876 — Stephen C. Medbery, president; Smith 
Hovey, Joseph E. Westcot, John Brown, Frank Cun- 
ningham. 

1877 — Stephen C. Medbery, president; Jacob D. 
.Mien Jeremiah Griffin, Joseph E. Westcot, Joseph 
S. Thomas. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



125 



1878 — George West, Jr., president; Jeremiah Grif- 
fin, Jacob D. Allen, Joseph E. Westcot, Alonzo M. 
Shepherd. 

1879 — Alonzo M. Shepherd, president; Rush H. 
Young, James F. Peckham, Abijah Comstock, 
George R. Beach. 

1880 — Alonzo M. Shepherd, president; Rush H. 
Young, Abijah Comstock, Stephen C. Medbery, 
Jeremiah Griffin. 

1881 — Rush H. Young, president; Jeremiah Grif- 
fin, John F. Holmes, John H. Van Steenburgh, 
Henry Lowry. 

1882 — Jeremiah Griffin, president; Owen Sweeney, 
John H. Van Steenburgh, John F. Holmes, Abijah 
Comstock. 

1883— Alfred N. Wiley, president; Henry Harri- 
son, Charles M. Brown, James Dunk, Riley B. 
Palmer. 

1884— Alfred N. Wiley, president; Henry Harri- 
son, N. R. Vandenburgh, James Dunk, Douglass W. 
Mabee. 

In 1885 for the first time the village President was 
elected by the People, and the term of the Trustees 
was made two years, three being elected in one 
year, and two in the alternate years. 

1885 — Stephen C. Medbery, president; Henry Har- 
rison, Douglass W. Mabee, N. R. Vandenburgh, 
James A. Burnham, James F. Robinson. 

1886 — Rush H. Young, pre^sident; Henry Harri- 
son, Douglass W. Mabee, N. R. Vandenburgh, 
Smith Hovey, Willard W. Brown. 

1887 — Stephen C. Medbery, president; Smith 
Hovey, Willard W. Brown, Douw F. Winney, Eben 
S. Lawrence, Daniel A. Foote. 

1888 — Stephen C. Medbery, president ; Douw F. 
Winney, Eben S. Lawrence, Daniel A. Foote, 
Charles M. Arnold, C. Fred Wheeler. 

1889 — Stephen C. Medbery, president ; C. Fred 
Wheeler, Charles M. Arnold, George E. Settle, 
Frank E. Mitchell, Daniel A. Foote. 

1890 — Alonzo M. Shepherd, president; George E. 
Settle, Frank E. Mitchell, Daniel A. Foote, Frank 
J. Holmes, David Thompson. 

1891 — Abijah Comstock, president; Frank J. 
Holmes, David Thompson, Byron L. Cole, Frank J. 
Sherman, Walter Furlong. 

1892 — Douglass W. Mabee, president; Byron S. 
Cole, Frank J. Sherman, Walter Furlong, Frank J. 
Holmes, Smith Hovey. 

1893 — Charles O. McCreedy, president; Frank J. 
Holmes, Smith Hovey, Frank J. Sherman, Walter 
Furlong, George Castle. 



1894 — Eben S. Lawrence, president; Frank J. 
Sherman, Walter Furlong, George Castle, John Wat- 
son, W. Odell Sweet. 

189s — Eben S. Lawrence, president; John Watson, 
W. Odell Sweet, Lyman D. Sherwood, Henry 
Haight, Frank R. Wilson. 

1896— Thomas Finley, president; Lyman D. Sher- 
wood, Henry Haight, Frank R. Wilson, W. Odell 
Sweet, William Clements. 

1897— Douglass W. Mabee, president; W. Odell 
Sweet, William. Clements, Thomas J. Tracy, Daniel 

A. Foote, David Thompson. 

In 1898 the number of Trustees was increased to 
six, three to be elected each year. 

1898— Douglass W. Mabee, president; Albert H. 
Van Arnem, Henry Miller, John L. Thomas, 
Thomas J. Tracy, David Thompson, Daniel A. 
Foote. 

1899— Charles O. McCreedy, president; Albert H. 
Van Arnem, Henry Miller, John L. Thomas, Douw 
F. Winney, W. Odell Sweet, Willard W. Brown. 

1900 — Charles 0. McCreedy, president; Douw F. 
Winney, W. Odell Sweet, Willard W. Brown, Wil- 
liam S. Waterbury, Thomas W. Brown, Albert H. 
Van Arnem. 

1901 — Stephen C. Medbery, president; William 
S. Waterbury, Thomas W. Brown, Albert H. Van 
Arnem, Irving W. Wiswall, John N. Hutchins, Hugh 
S. Finley. 

1902 — Stephen C. Medbery, president : Irving W. 
Wiswall, John N. Hutchins, Hugh S. Finley, Wil- 
liam S. Waterbury, Albert H. Van Arnem, Charles 

B. Cole. 

1903 — Stephen C. Medbery, president ; William S. 
Waterbury, Albert H. Van Arnem, Charles B. Cole, 
Irving W. Wiswall, John Corning, Hugh S. Finley. 

1904 — Stephen C. Medbery, president; Irving W. 
Wiswall, John Corning, Hugh S. Finley, Charles B. 
Cole, Dennis Manogue, William S. Waterbury. 

1905 — Stephen C. Medbery, president ; Charles B. 
Cole, Dennis Manogue, William S. Waterbury, Alex- 
ander T. McKinnon, John Corning, Hugh S. Finley. 

1906 — Iri'ing W. Wiswall, president; Alexander 
T. McKinnon, John Corning, Hugh S. Finley, 
Leander Spicer, George W. Miller, Edwin T. Nor- 
man. 

1907 — Irving W. Wiswall, president ; Leander 
Spicer, George W. Miller, John Corning, Hugh S. 
Finley, William S. Waterbury, Nelson F. Pitts. 





OLD COURT HOUSE. 




NEW COURT HOUSE. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



127 



The County Seat 



ON the seventh day of February, 1791, 
Saratoga County was set off from 
Albany County by an Act of the 
Legislature, which enacted that the 
county "shall be one separate and distinct 
county, and be called and known by the name 
of Saratoga." 

Governor Clinton immediately appointed 
officials for the new county, as follows: 
John Thompson of Stillwater, first judge; 
James Gordon and Beriah Palmer of Ball- 
ston. Jacobus Van Schoonhoven of Half- 
moon, and Sidney Berry of Saratoga, 
judges; Jacob Fort, Jr., of Halfmoon, sher- 
iff; Dirck Swart of Stillwater, clerk; Sidney 
Berry of Saratoga, surrogate; Guert Van 
Schoonhoven of Halfmoon, treasurer. 

Two years later, in 1794, a commission was 
appointed to locate the county seat, and to ■ 
build a court-house and jail. Ballston Vil- 
lage, later known as Academy Hill, con- 
tested with a thriving settlement which had 
grown up around the Presbyterian church in 
the locality now known as Milton Hill, for 
the location of the county capital. While the 
claims of these two rivals were being strong- 
ly pressed, Edward A. Watrous, who lived 
on the hill on the "middle line," offered to 
give the county a site on his farm, to be pub- 
lic property so long as occupied by the court 
house and jail. The offer was accepted by 
the commission, and Ballston became the 
shire town, and Court House Hill the county 
seat. 

The first court in the county was a session 
of the Court of Common Pleas held May 10, 
1791, at the residence of Samuel Clark, on the 
"east line road," in the present town of Malta. 
From this time until the completion of the 
Court House in 1796, the courts were held 
in the "red meeting house" in Ballston. The 
May term, 1796, of the Common Pleas and 
Court of Sessions was the first court held in 
the new court house. 



The court house and jail was burned dur- 
ing the night of March 23, 1816. The Inde- 
pendent American, published in Ballston Spa, 
gave the following account of the fire: 

"On Sunday morning last at one o'clock a fire 
broke out in the northwest corner of the court 
house in the town of Ballston, which had so pro- 
gressed before it was discovered that all attempts 
at quelling it proved abortive. The air was very 
still, otherwise the contiguous buildings must have 
shared the same fate. One of the prisoners, named 
George Billings, who was chained to the floor, was 
unfortunately consumed. Four prisoners, Shearer, 
Davis, (colored), Cole and Drapoo, made their es- 
cape. Two of them have since been retaken, to 
wit: Shearer and Davis. A court of enquiry was 
instituted in this village, and from their examina- 
tion on the subject of the fire did not hestitate to 
give it as their opinion that the fire was communi- 
cated to the building by one or more of the 
prisoners." 

At this time, through the development of 
the mineral springs, Ballston Spa and Sara- 
toga Springs had become the chief centers of 
population in the county. Each village now 
put forth its claims for the location of the 
county seat within their respective limits. The 
question was again determined by an offer 
of land. Mr. Nicholas Low, of Ballston Spa, 
offered as a free gift to the county the land 
on which the court house and county clerk's 
office now stand. The offer was accepted, 
and Ballston Spa became the county seat. This 
resulted not only in making this village the 
official center of the county, but the political 
center also. 

The new court house and jail, erected in 
1 8 19, was a handsome brick building, and 
enlarged and improved in later years, was 
occupied tmtil 1889, when it was demolished 
and the present court house and jail, and 
jailor's residence took its place. This build- 
ing was greatly enlarged and improved in 
1904. 

From the erection of the county in 1791 
until the year 1824, the records of the county 
were kept at the homes of the various county 



1 



128 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



clerks. In this year the old county clerk's 
office was built on Front street. It was 
a stone building, and its builders believed it 
to be large enough to accommodate the coun- 
ty records for all time. They were mistaken, 




County Clerk's Office— 1824. 

however, and in 1866 the clerk's office on 
High street was built. Tliis building was 
enlarged in 1904 to more than double its 
former size. 

CIVIL LIST. 

The following residents of the village have 
been honored with public office since the 
year 1801 : 

Presidential Elector — George L. Thompson, 
1884 ; voted for Grover Cleveland. 

Representatives in Congress — John W. Taylor, 
1813 to 1833; .A.nson Brown, 1839; George West, 
1881 to iSSs, 1887. 

State Treasurer — James M. Cook, 1852. 

State Comptroller — James M. Cook, 1854. 

Superintendent Banking Department — James M. 
Cook, 1856 to 1862. 

Canal Commissioner — George W. Chapman, 
1870. 

Superintendent Public Instruction — Neil Gil- 
mour, 1874 to 1883. 

Delegate to Constitutional Convention — James 
M. Cook, 1846. 

State Senators — ^John W. Taylor, 1841 ; James 
M. Cook, 1848 to 185 1 ; George G. Scott. 1858; Isa- 
iah Blood, i860; Harvey J. Donaldson, 1890 to 
1895. 

Members of Assembly — James Merrill, 1801 ; 
Gideon Goodrich, 1803. 1807; Joel Lee, 1810, 1836; 
John W. Taylor, 1812-13; Alpheus Goodrich, 1828; 
Isaiah Blood, 1852; George G. Scott, 1856; George 
W. Qiapman. 1865 ; George West, 1872-3-4-5-6 , 
Benjamin F. Baker, 1880-1-2; John H. Burke, 1887; 
Harvey J. Donaldson, 188S-9; George H. West, 
1899, 1900. 

Judge Common Pleas — Samuel Cook, 1820; 
George G. Scott, 1838. 



Masters in Chancery — Thomas Palmer, 1808, 
1823; Callender Beecher, 1843. 

Examiners in Chancery — Samuel Cook, 1823. 

County Judge — ^Jesse S. L'Amoreaux, 1883. 

Justices of Sessions — David Maxwell, 1850, 1854, 
1859, 1861, 1863, 1868; Augustus E. Brown, 1856- 
7; William Warner, 1867; John Brown, 1876. 

Sheriffs — John Dunning, 1823, 1829; Lyman B. 
Langworthy, 1826; Joseph Jennings, 1835; Samuel 
Freeman, 1838; Philip H. McOmber, 1856; George 
B. Powell, 1859; Frank Jones, 1895. 

Surrogates — ^Thomas . Palmer, 1812, 1815; John 
W. Thompson, 1834 to 1847. 

County Clerks — Levi H. Palmer, 1813; William 
Stilhvell. 1815; Thomas Palmer, i8i8 to 1833; Al- 
pheus Goodrich, 1833 to 1840; Horace Goodrich, 
1843; James W. Horton, 1846 to 1885; Seth Wha- 
len, 1885 to 1887; James L. Scott, 1887; Edward 
F. Grose, 1888 to 1902; George H. West, 1902 to 
1907. 

Deputy County Clerks — J. Oakley Nodyne, M. 
Lemet Williams, John B. McLean, Joseph El. 
Westcot, John F. Hennessey. 

County Treasurers — Archy Kasson, 1810 to 1815 ; 
Azariah W. Odell, 1815 to 1822; Edward A. Wat- 
rous, 1822 to 1831; George Thompson, 1831 to 
1844; .'\rnold Harris, 1844 to 1847; Edward W. 
Lee, 1847 to 1849; Arnold Harris, 1849 to 1854; 
Orville D. Vaughn, 1855 to 1861 ; Henry A. Mann, 
1861 to 1S76; Stephen C. Medbery, 1879 to 1898. 

District Attorneys— William T. Odell, 1851 to 
1857 ; John Person, 1893-4-5 : James A. Burnham, 
1895 to 1899 : Horace E. McKnight, 1904 to 1907. 

Coroners — Hezekiah Middlebrook, 1806; Lyman 
B. Langworthy, 1817-18-19-20; Chester Clapp, 
1821-2: Reuben Westcot, 1823; Henry White, 
1844; James H. Lockwood, 1847-50; Nathaniel J. 
Seely, 1S53-6-0: James F. Doolittle, 1859: Charles 
H. Andrus, i860; John Barrett, 1863; David F. 
White, 1866. 1872 ; Benjamin W. Noxon, 1875 ; 
Walton W. French, 1881 : Eben S. Lawrence, 1884. 

Superintendents of Poor — Alpheus Goodrich, 
1827; Moses Williams, 1828; Lebbeus Booth, Wil- 
liam Hawkins. 1835 to 1842; William Hawkins, 
John Wait, Edward W. Lee, 1842-3 : Lebbeus 
Booth, Abraham Middlebrook. James H. Speir, 
1844-5-6; John Kelly, John Wait, William W. Ar- 
nold, 1847; Abraham Middlebrook, 1848 to 1857. 

Commissioners of Loans — John W. Taylor, 1808 
to 1829; George G. Scott, 1843 to 1850; Lebbeus 
Booth, 1840 to 1843: Albert A. Moor, 1855 to 1861; 
James L. Scott, 1883 to 1886; Seymour Rowley, 
1895 to 1897. 

School Commissioners — Charles D. Seely, 1858 
to 1861; Seymour Chase, 1861 to 1864; Neil Gil- 
mour, 1867 to 1870, 1873-4; Henry L. Grose, 1874- 
S; Nelson L. Roe. 1876 to 1879. 

Supervisors— Ball ston: William. H. Wendell, 
1852; Abel Meeker, 1853-4; John Wait, 1858-9; 
George G. Scott, i86o to 1881; George L. Thomp- 
son, 1891 : Douw F. Winney. 1894-5-6-7. Milton: 
Thomas Palmer, 1822 to 1833; James M. Cook, 
1838, 1844, 1845; Abraham Middlebrook, 1839; Syl- 
vester Blood, 1840-41; Isaiah Blood, 1847, i8s9. 1869; 
Daniel W. Culver, 1848, 1852, 1856; John Tallmage, 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



129 



1849 ; George W. Ingalls, 1853, 1857, 1861 ; John W. 
Thompson, 1854; William T. Odell, 1858, i860; 
George W. Chapman, 1862; Cornwell M. Noxon, 
1863 ; Edwin H. Chapman, 1864-5 ; Hiro Jones, 
1866-7-S, 1871 ; John Wait, 1870 ; John McLean, 
1873 ; George West, Jr., 1874-5 ; George L. Thomp- 



son, 1876-7-8-9, 1881-2-3-4; Abijah Comstock, 1885- 
8-9; Martin Lee, 1886; John Richards, 1887; Wil- 
liam W. Sweet, 1890; Eben S. ^awrence, 1891 ; 
Frank J. Sherman, 1892; Samuel Thompson, 1893; 
Frederick H. Beach, 1894-5-6-7; Thomas Finley, 
1898 to 1907. 




Century Elm, Ballston Spa. 




COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE ERECTED IX lSfi6 




COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, 1907. 



COURT HOUSE. 



HIGH STREET. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OP BALLSTON ST A 



131 



The Press of Ballston Spa 



THE History of Saratoga County, by 
Mr. N. B. Sylvester, published in 
1878, gives an account of "The 
Ballston Press." It was written 
for that work by the late Rev. H. L. Grose, 
and some extracts from it will be found in 
the following history of the Press of Balls- 
ton Spa : 

THE B.\LLSTOX JOURN.\L. 

The first number of the first newspaper 
published in Saratoga County was issued at 
Court House Hill, on June 14, 1798, under 
the name of Saratoga Register or Farmer's 
Journal. The sheet was about one-half the 
present size of the Ballston Daily Journal. 
Under the title were these words: "Ballston, 
Saratoga County ; printed every Wednesday 
morning by Increase and William Child, over 
the store of Messrs. Robert Leonard & Co., 
nearly opposite the Court House, where sub- 
scriptions for this paper, articles of intelli- 
gence, miscellaneous pieces, advertisements, 
etc., are thankfully received, and printing in 
general executed with neatness and dispatch, 
and on moderate terms." 

For one hundred and nine years the paper 
established by the Messrs. Child has appeared 
regularly each week, and during this long 
period has been an important factor in the in- 
tellectual, political and social life of the vil- 
lage, and of the county. The name of the 
paper has been changed several times, but for 
the last sixty years has been known as "The 
Ballston Journal." 

The Journal supported the administration 
of President John Adams, then the head of 
the political party which bore the name of 
Federal, and which was opposed by the party 
called Republican, whose acknowledged leader 
was Jefiferson. These party divisions had 
grown out of discussions in Congress during 
the first administration of Washington, whose 
second election was a triumph of the Federal 
party, as was the election of Adams, under 



whose presidency the "alien and sedition laws" 
were passed, with features so obnoxious as to 
defeat him at his next candidacy. 

The Journal favored those laws, as is shown 
by the following article copied from the issue 
of August 22, 1798: 

"There is at the present so strong an opposition 
to the measures of the general government prevail- 
ing through the counties of Ulster' and Orange, that 
it is dangerous for a man to applaud the adminis- 
tration, and he is fortunate to escape personal in- 
jury. In many parts of those counties the friend 
of the government is viewed as an enemy to the 
general cause, and is treated with marked con- 
tempt and disrespect. Almost every town exhibits 
a Liberty Pole, as they falsely term it, which these 
sons of Belial have erected to their idol faction. 
Our informants saw these poles at Newburg, New 
Windsor, Montgomery. Wardsbridge, Goshen, Flor- 
ida, Warwick, etc., etc., but they could give us no 
information concerning the intention of this com- 
bination of knaves and fools to oppose the execution 
of the laws by force. We believe, however, they 
know too well their own insignificance and weak- 
ness to be the deliberate authors of their own de- 
struction. The sedition and stamp acts, added to 
their long invited enmity to the Constitution, are 
the chief cause of this display of Republican fer- 
vor. The former of these laws will never give a 
moment's uneasiness to any good citizen ; and the 
latter imposes a tax which promises to be highly 
productive, and not felt by the agriculturalist, as it 
will fall almost exclusively on the mercantile part 
of the community." 

FIRST BOOK PRINTED. 

The first book ever printed in the county 
was from the press of the Childs in 1798, 
soon after the establishment of the paper. 
It was entitled "A Plain Account of the Or- 
dinance of Baptism ; in which all the texts in 
the New Testament relating to it are proved, 
and the whole Doctrine concerning it drawn 
from them alone. In a Course of Letters to 
the Right Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hoadley, late 
Lord Bishop of Winchester, author of the 
'Plain Account of the Lord's Supper ;' ye 
shall not add unto the word which I have 
commanded you, neither shall you diminish 
from it. First Ballston Edition. London. 



132 



CENTENNIAL HISTORV OF BALLSTON SFA 



Printed: Ballston. Re-printed by i. & W. 
Child. Sold at their Printing-Office, nearlv 
opposite the Court House, 1798." 

In April, 1800, the firm of Increase & 
William Child dissolved, \\"illiani heconiinsj- 
the sole proprietor. 



buring civcr one thousand, are printed at the 
end of the volume. 

Mr. Child continued the paper under its 
original name until September 27, 1808, on 
which day it was issued under the name of 
The Independent American. 




SECOND BOOK PRINTED. 

In that year William Child printed a hook 
of two hundred and twenty-two pages, en- 
titled "A Plea for the Non-Comformists," 
by Thomas Delaune, with a preface by Rev. 
Elias Lee, pastor of the Baptist church at 
Ballston Spa. It was published by subscrip- 
tion, and the names of the subscribers, num- 



James Madi'son was elected President in 
1808, after an unusually exciting campaign. 
Party spirit ran high, and was kept up long 
after the inauguration in 1809. Madison was 
the candidate of the Democratic party, the Re- 
publican party having fully accepted the title 
of "Democratic party" in 1805, by which 
name it has ev,er since been known. From 
the issue of June, 1809, are taken the follow- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY Of BALLSTON SPA 



133 



ing extracts, to show that political writing 
was as harsh and severe as in these later 
times : 

"It is whispered in private Democratic circles at 
Washington that Madison has turned a damned 
Federalist. The next President is to be pledged 
beforehand to a certain line of policy. General 
Snyder has been mentioned as a candidate, but it 
is generally thought that though he has by no means 
too much sense, he has too little 'nerve, as he d'd 
not carry on the war against the United States with 
sufficient energy. 

"The gentlemen who now appear to be most 
peculiarly possessed of -what are now settled to be 
the true Democratic qualifications for the presidency 
are Mr. Smilie, Mr. Alston, and M-r. Alexander 
Wilson; the last a representative of Virginia, as dif- 
ferent a man in point of mind from his namesake, 
the author of the 'American Ornithology,' as a 
Satyr is different from a Hyperion. 

"Some of the Democrats begin to cast the blame 
of the recent settlement with Great Britain uporj 
the President's wife. They say she is a Feder- 
alist, and has too much influence over her spouse. 
What a happy circumstance it would have been for 
this country had Thomas Jefferson been governed 
by such a woman !" 

In 1811 Mr. Child sold to James Comstock, 
and soon after the printing office was moved 
to Ballston Spa. 

THIRD BOOK PRINTED. 

In 1811 Mr. Comstock printed a book of 
ninety-four pages entitled "Lectures oh the 
Prophecies," etc., by Elhanan Winchester. 
It is bound in the same cover with a book en- 
titled "The Three Woe-Trumpets," by Elha- 
nan Winchester. 

In 1814 Mr. Comstock printed the first 
Temperance tract ever published in the State 
of New York. 

In 1816 Horatio Gates Spafford, LL.D., 
became proprietor and changed the name 
to the Saratoga Farmer. In 1821 he made 
the title The Ballston Spa Gazette and Sara- 
toga Farmer. Mr. Spafford was a learned, 
intelligent, well-informed man, and an inde- 
fatigable worker. He compiled and published 
the first complete Gazetteer of the State in 
1813, and in 1824 republished it, with large 
additions, making it more accurate and com- 
plete, embodying a vast amount of useful in- 
formation from which others have drawn in 
later years. 

He removed to Albany in 1822, disposing 
of his paper to its former proprietor, James 



Comstock, who abbreviated the name to The 
Ballston Spa Gazette, under which it was 
continued until 1847. For thirty years Mr. 
Comstock had charge of the paper, conduct- 
ing it ably and successfully. 

FOURTH BOOK PRINTED. 

In 1822 Mr. Comstock issued from his 
press the fourth book printed in Ballston, en- 
titled "The Friend of Peace," a volume of 
three hundred and eight pages, designed to 
show the evils of war and the blessings of 
peace. 

In 1846 the first daily ever printed in Balls- 
ton Spa was published by James Comstock 
under the title of Ballston Spa Daily Tele- 
graph. It was a small sheet of four pages, 
containing four columns to the page. 

In April, 1847, J. O. Nodyne became pro- 
prietor, and changed the name to Ballston 
Democratic Whig Journal. January 18, 1848, 
Albert A. Moor became joint proprietor with 
Mr. Nod)'ne, the name being shortened to 
The Ballston Journal. On December 5 of 
this vear, Mr. Moor became sole proprietor, 
and continued as editor and proprietor about 
twelve years. He was a good writer, a mem- 
ber of the Bar, and for several years one of 
the Loan Comtnissioners of the county. 

In April, i860, Henry L. Grose became 
editor and proprietor of the Journal, and con- 
tinued as editor for nearly thirty-nine years, 
and until his death on September 7, 1898. 
During this period the four sons of Mr. Grose, 
H. Seward, Edward F., Howard B. and 
Charles H., were at different times associated 
with him in the management of the Journal. 

The second daily in Ballston Spa was print- 
ed during the summer of 1871, under the 
name of Ballston Daily Journal. 

September t, 1894, the Ballston Daily 
Journal was established as a permanent daily 
paper. It is now in its fourteenth year, and 
the weekly Journal in its one hundred and 
ninth year. Charles H. Grose, the youngest 
son of H. L. Grose, is the proprietor. 

The political relations of the paper whose 
history has been thus fully sketched will read- 
ily be known by the character of the presi- 
dential administrations it has supported or 
opposed, and for that character any general 
historv of our country may be consulted. The 



134 



CEXTEXNJJL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



administrations opposed were those of Jef- tion of a beautifully illustrated souvenir of 

ferson, Madison, Jackson, \'an Buren, Polk, twenty-eight pages. 

Pierce, Buchanan, Johnson and Cleveland, 

extending over a period of fifty-two years. 

It supported the administrations of John In 1804 David C. Miller began at Court 

Adams, James Monroe, John Ouincy Adams, House Hill the publication of the Saratoga 






"FKICNDLX TO 3 



VOL xjv— MMriEn i 



^t\LL^^>^ -I \. N. Y. Tl'tiDAY. /U'RU. r, IM3L 



WHOLE SlUBEE. M. 



$all5(oii ^ounml, 

































Fac-simile of First Number of The Journal published by H. L. Grose & Sons in 18(50. 

Harrison and Tyler, Taylor and Fillmore, Advertiser, size of ])age thirteen by eighteen 

inches. In 1806 a man named Riggs was 



Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Arthur, 
Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley and 
Theodore Roosevelt, extending over a ix-riod 
of fifty-six years. 

The Journal conmiemorated its one hun- 
dredth anni\ersary in 1898, by tiie jniblica- 



taken into partnership. He sold his interest 
in ]8o7 to Samuel R. Brown, and the name 
was coolly changed to The Aurora Borealis 
and Saratoga Advertiser. In 1808 Mr. Brown 
retired and :\Ir. Miller restored the original 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



135 



name. The paper was discontinued in 1809, 
and the office merged into that of The Inde- 
pendent American. Mr. Miller moved to 
Johnstown and started the Montgomery Mon- 
itor in January, 1810. In 181 1 he moved to 
Batavia, Genesee county, and there, in part- 
nership with Benjamin Blodgett, started the 
Republican Advocate which is still published. 
He printed the Morgan pamphlet, which pro- 
fessed to disclose the secrets of the first three 
degrees of Freemasonry; and a weekly paper 
called The Morgan Intelligencer, was issued 
from his office in 1827, continuing about a 
year. At that day he was a conspicuous and 
famous man. 

The Literary Picture Gallery and Admon- 
itory Epistles to the visitors of Ballston Spa, 
by Simeon Senex, Esquire, was issued during 
the season of 1808, in numbers of eight pages 
each : size of page five by eight inches. It 
was printed at the office of Miller & Riggs for 
I. Cook. 

The Rural Visitor and Saratoga Adver- 
tiser, appeared April 7, 1812. It was an eight 
page paper, size of page eight by ten inches. 
In politics it was Democratic, in opposition to 
the Federal party. The first number states 
that it is "printed and published by John 
Howe, for the proprietor," but the proprie- 
tor's name is not disclosed. The paper had 
a brief existence. 

The first number of The Saratoga Journal 
was published in Ballston Spa the first week 
in January, 1814, by Isaiah Bunce. In poli- 
tics it was Democratic, the party then op- 
posed to the Federal party. The Federals in 
Saratoga County were few — the Democrats 
many; and having everything their own way, 
in 1816 there was a split in their ranks, one 
faction being called 'Old Liners," embracing 
such prominent men as John W. Taylor, 
David Rogers, George Palmer, Thomas Pal- 
mer, Seth C. Baldwin, Lyman B. Langworthy, 
A. W. Odell, Esek Cowen and others. The 
"New Liners," so called, embraced such men 
as Judge James Thompson, Samuel Young, 
Joel Lee, Judge Salmon Child, William Stil- 
well, Colonel Isaac Gere and others. The 
Journal was very violent in its opposition to 
the "New Liners," and consequently they es- 
tablished an organ of their own, whose history 



follows. The Journal was discontinued Feb- 
ruary II, 1818. 

The Saratoga Courier was issued at Balls- 
ton Spa in 1816, with LHysses F. Doubleday 
as editor. This reduced the patronage of the 
Journal without securing sufficient for its 
own maintenance, and in less than two years 
its publication was suspended. In February, 
1818, Mr. Doubleday began another weekly 
named the Saratoga Republican, which he 
conducted until 1823, when he removed to 
Auburn and bought an interest in the Cayuga 
Patriot, of which he became the editor. He 
was Member of Congress in 183 1 and 1835, 
and was conspicuous among the public men 
of the time. 




Doubleday House, 1807-1907. 

The People's Watchtower was started by 
James Comstock May 13, 1818, and con- 
tinued until 1822, when Mr. Comstock pur- 
chased the Ballston Spa Gazette and Saratoga 
Farmer, and the Watchtower was merged into 
the older paper, the name being shortened to 
Ballston Spa Gazette. 

The .Saratoga Recorder and Anti-Masonic 
Democrat was started in 1831 by Thomas 
Jefferson Sutherland. The purpose of its 
publication is indicated by the title. At the 
end of a year it was discontinued. 

The New York Palladium was begun in 
1831 by Ansel Warren. It supported the ad- 
ministration of Andrew Jackson. In 1832 it 
was bought by Israel Sackett, and the name 
changed to The Schenectady and Saratoga 
Standard. Elias G. Palmer became proprietor 
in 1833, and gave it the name of The Balls- 
ton Spa Republican. It supported the admin- 



ise 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



istrations of Jackson and Van Buren until the 
latter part of the year 1839, when it was dis- 
continued. 

The Ballston Democrat was started in 1845 
by Newell Hine, J. O. L. Tourville, printer. 
The name indicates its politics and it gave its 
best support tO James K. Polk for President. In 
1848 Thomas G. Young, son of Hon. Samuel 
Young, became proprietor and editor. He 
sold to Seymour Chase in 1853, who consol- 
idated it with The Northern Mirror, which 
was established in 1850 by Sanford H. Curtis 
and John E. Lee, and first named The Gem of 
the North. In 185 1 Mr. Chase bought the 
paper and changed the name to The Northern 
Mirror. After the union the title was The 
Ballston Democrat and Mirror. 

In January, 1853, The Temperance Helper 
was established by the Carson League, a coun- 
ty temperance society. The paper was printed 
at the Democrat office for about a year, when 
the publishing committee opened a new office, 
in which was set up the first cylinder press 
used in the county. In 1855 the establishment 
was sold to Potter & Judson, and removed to 
Saratoga Springs. In 1856 the paper joined 
the Republican ranks, supporting John C. 
Fremont for the presidency. The name was 
changed to The Saratogian, which it still 
bears. 

The American Examiner, an organ of the 
"Know Nothings," was first issued in the 
early part of the year 1855, by Joseph B. 
Brown. In November, 1856, Seymour Chase 
purchased the paper, and merged it with the 
Democrat. A few vears later the name was 



changed to The Ballston Atlas, in politics fol- 
lowing the Albany Atlas, which supported 
the Free-soil wing of the Democratic party 
under the lead of Martin Van Buren. In 
i860 the Atlas supported the nomination of 
Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency. 
Abraham A. Keyser became proprietor Jan- 
uary I, 1 86 1, and in April following sold to 
Ephraim W. Reynolds. In 1864 Mr. Rey- 
nolds sold to Daniel Shepherd who moved 
the office to Saratoga Springs, where for a 
few months he issued the paper under the 
name of the Saratoga County Democrat, when 
he suspended the publication. 

In December, 1865. Sanford H. Curtis and 
Enos R. Mann, of Ballston Spa, revived the 
paper under the original name. The Ballston 
Democrat. The partnership was dissolved 
after a few months, and John M. Waterbury 
became proprietor in 1866. He changed the 
name to The Ballston Register. In 1868 he 
sold to his brother, William S. Waterbury, 
and the paper again assumed its original name 
—The Ballston Democrat. In 1889 M. P. 
Morse became proprietor, and some time after 
changed the name to The Saratoga County 
Democrat. 

The Ballston Daily News was started by 
Mr. Morse in 1889. It was neutral in poli- 
tics, and so remained for about four years, 
when it came out squarely as a Democratic 
paper. Messrs. Cole & Burnham bought the 
establishment in 1900, and soon after the 
office was destroyed by fire. A stock company 
was then organized, by whom the publication 
of the Daily News is continued, the weekly 
Democrat having been discontinued. 




CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



137 



Ballston Spa in the Past 



WHEN Ballston Spa was in its glory 
as the first watering place and 
most famous summer resort in 
America, among the thousands 
who came to quaff of its healing waters were 
many tourists. Some of them have written 
entertainingly of their experiences, and of 
what they saw at "The Springs.'- 

EIGHTEEN HUNDRED ELEVEN. 

In his book of "Travels in the United States 
of America, printed in Philadelphia in 1812, 
Mr. John Melish gives an account of a visit 
to Ballston in 1811. He made the journey 
from Johnstown by way of Broadalbin, Fish 
House and Milton. He writes : 

"The soil is good round Milton, which accounts 
for the handsome appearance of the houses, and a 
Quaker meeting house' denoted that the ground 
was partly occupied by some of those sagacious 
people. 

"Beyond this the soil is very sandy and barren, 
with pine trees of a small growth ; but the people 
seem determined to make amends for the sterility 
of the soil in another way ; for, passing a creek, I 
saw an elegant new building of seven stories high, 
which had been recently erected for the manufac- 
ture of woolen cloth." From thence the road winds 
through the woods, and the soil continues poor all 
the way to Ballston, which I reached in the evening. 

"I took a view of the town as I passed through 
it; and it is soon seen, as it contains seventy dwell- 
ing houses only. It lies in a hollow, and the spring 
is at the lower end of it, near a small creek. The 
houses are mostly built of wood, and some of the 
boarding houses are very handsome. One is un- 
commonly superb, and is said to have cost upwards 
of $60,000.' 

'There was a Quaker meeting-house in Galway, 
on the route probably taken, but none in Milton. 
The meeting-house referred to was doubtless that of 
the Presbyterians at Milton Hill. 

*The factory of the Milton Manufacturing So- 
ciety, erected in 1810. It stood on the north side of 
the highway, running east and west and gave the 
name of Factory Village to that locality. It was 
built on the precipitous east bank of the Kayaderos- 
seras, being three stories in height on the highway, 
and seven stories at the water's edge. The factory- 
was destroyed by fire in 1821 and rebuilt. In later 
years it was converted into a paper mill, and was 
burned in 1874. 

'The Sans Souci hotel. 



"Soon after I reached the village I went to see 
the spring.* It is enclosed by a railing, the in- 
terior being handsomely paved with stone, and the 
water is secured from all filth by a metallic tube of 
about eighteen inches diameter, elevated a few 
feet above the top of the spring, which rises copi- 
ously with a boiling motion, and the surplus water 
passes ofli by a horizontal pipe. The water was 
quite agreeable to my taste, and produced an ex- 
hilarating effect upon the spirits. It emits a slight 
smell, but not unpleasant, and is copiously impreg- 
nated with fixed air, or carbonic acid gas. 

"The medicinal virtues of these waters have of 
late attracted much attention, and Ballston has be- 
come a place of fashionable resort in the summer 
season. Ballston is twenty-eight miles from Al- 
bany. There are two roads, one by Schenectady, 
the other by Waterford ; and it makes a very agree- 
able jaunt to go the one way and return the other. 
Schenectady is one of the finest inland cities in 
America. On the other road is the pleasant village 
of Waterford, and the Cohoes falls. 

"The village is supported by the visitors to the 
springs, so that, except in the summer season, it is 
but a dull place. Boarding at the principal houses 
is eight dollars per week, but there are smaller 
houses, having inferior accommodations at four 
dollars. There is an Academy and library in the 
village, and besides taverns and boarding houses, 
there are five dry-goods and grocery stores. There 
are two public papers issued weekly, of which, the 
one circulates seven hundred, the other four hun- 
dred." 

EIGHTEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE. 

In a book entitled "A Pedestrian Tour 
made in 182 1 by P. Stansbury," the account 
of our village given by the writer presents 
facts of interest. After speaking of Saratoga 
the writer says : 

"Ballston Springs are si.x miles hence in a south- 
westerly direction, between which and Saratoga 
Springs the land is one sandy, uninteresting plain. 
At the village of Ballston Spa the landscape as- 
sumes a more pleasing variety ; a branch of the 
Kayaderosseras rolls through a little valley, wash- 
ing the basements of the lower houses, and wind- 

*The original or "iron-railing" spring. In 1820 a 
bottle of this water, securely corked, was placed in a 
well in Charlton. About the year 1870 the bottle 
was taken from the well, and on extracting the cork, 
the water was as lively and pungent as when taken 
from the spring more than half a century before. 



138 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



ing until it is lost among the high hills which lie 
in the vicinity. Hotels, academies and churches 
rise magnificent above the tops of extensive ranges 
of wool and cotton manufactories, and stamp upon 
the features of the place a character of great 
wealth and grandeur. 

"The fountains are situated in different parts of 
the village. A convenient footwalk leads over the 
stream to Low's springs, consisting of numerous 
spouts, contained under the basement room of a 
hotel, and further onward to the Washington foun- 
tain, a very large and high spout enclosed in a 
railing and furnished with proper conveniences for 
drinking. It is in the form of an obelisk, rising 
five or six feet above the ground, rendered of a 
bright red color by the chalybeate qualities of the 
fluid; the top is open and the water copiously boil- 
ing over, and streaming in handsome cascades down 
the sides. Scarcely three yards distant gushes from 
the same soil a fountain of the purest and coldest 
water, without the slighest particle of saline or 
chalybeate ingredient. It forms a little rivulet rip- 
pling beautifully over the stones of the creek, while 
its neighbor angrily bubbles and mingles in the same 
stream, with a fiery train of red iron-colored 
pebbles. 

"In the middle of the village an iron railing sur- 
rounds a hollow area, with steps descending to the 
bottom, in which the fountain principally resorted 
to gushes over the top of a spout two feet high 
and runs off in a regular stream. The water from 
this fountain is in general use among the villagers, 
who admire its gently stimulating properties, and 
even prefer it to the costly spirituous and fermented 
liquor of the shops. 

"Persons were sitting upon the steps, within the 
railing, contemplating the bubbling fluid and con- 
sidering the wonderful effects of nature's secret 
operations; and ever and anon some pallid invalid, 
some hearty farmer, some delicate female, some 
blustering fashionable youth, descended to the foun- 
tain and applied the simmering cup to their lips. 
The day was gloomy. Mingling with the murmurs 
of the adjacent creek, the sweet strains of a well 
played violin floated from the nearest boarding 
house, and agreeably corresponded with emotions 
which the place excited. I looked with admiration 
upon the scene, and. like many others, contemplated 
the air bubbles with real satisfaction. Earlj' the 
next morning I left the springs for Schenectady, 
not a little regretting to part with the social com- 
pany of the hotel where I lodged." 

EIGHTEEX HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE. 

"The Traveler's Guide," published in New 
Haven. Conn., by Nathan Whitney in 1823. 
gives the following description of the village: 

"Ballston Spa is partly in Ballston, but chiefly in 
Milton, and is the capital of Saratoga county, N. Y., 
twenty-six miles north of .Mbany. and is of a l)cau- 
tiful and romantic situation. Its population 1.909. 
It has a court house, two printing offices, a book 
store, with which is connected a circulating library 
and a reading room, an Academv and two houses 



for public worship — one for Episcopalians and one 
for Baptists. This place is famous for its mineral 
waters, which are much frequented by the gay 
and fashionable during the months of July and 
-August. 

"Hence, in addition to several inns, there are 
three large boarding houses expressly designed for 
the accommodation of strangers. In the summer 
of 1818, 2,500 persons visited these springs, of 
whom more than 1.200 were from States south of 
New York state. The waters possess a stimulating 
and refreshing quality. Under the exhaustion of 
heat and fatigue, nothing can be more agreeable 
and reviving to the system. As a powerful remedy 
also in many diseases, they are well known and 
highly celebrated. Letters intended for persons re- 
siding at the springs should be directed to Ballston 
Spa, as there is another post-office in the town of 
Ballston at some distance from that village." 

The same book tells of the attractions of 
Saratoga Springs as a fashionable resort, and 
gives the names of the principal springs of 
that date. They were the High Rock, Con- 
gress, Red, and Columbian springs. The pop- 
ulation was 1,909, exactly the same as that of 
Ballston Spa. 

EIGHTEEN HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE. 

The Northern Traveler, a guide to tourists 
and "such as travel for pleasure or health," 
published in 1825, when Ballston Spa was 
the leading summer resort in the United 
States, gives the following interesting de- 
scription : 

"Ballston Springs — The clustering buildings of 
this great w'atering place are discovered unexpect- 
edly in a little valley of sufficient depth to con- 
ceal them at a short distance. Mr. Booth's Female 
Academy is just south of the village. There are 
here three principal houses for the reception of 
visitors. The largest and most fashionable is Sans 
Souci ; and the most comfortable are Aldridge's and 
Cory's. The price of board is ten dollars a week 
at the former place, and eight dollars at the two 
latter. Besides these there are several other board- 
ing houses of inferior pretensions and prices; for 
great numbers of persons of all classes are an- 
nually attracted to this great watering place. 

"S.-\NS Souci is a building of an important size, 
occupying the corner where the village street meets 
the road to Saratoga. * * * Scarcely anything 
in this country can exceed the scene of gaiety 
Vk-hich this house presents in the visiting season, 
as scarcely anything can communicate sensations of 
more complete desertion and loneliness before the 
company have arrived, or after they have retired. 
When crowded with people Sans Souci is usually 
the scene of several balls in the week, to say noth- 
ing of the fishing parties, riding parties, etc., etc., 
which fill up the day. The variety of scenery in 
the neighborhood is sufficient to attract many of 
those who resort to this place of health and pleas- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



139 



ure, and walking and riding will be found much 
more agreeable here than at Saratoga. 

"Mr. Aldridge's House was the first respectable 
one ever opened in this place for the accommoda- 
tion of visitors. A visitor of quiet habits or in ill 
health, will here find himself retired from the noise 
and bustle which enter so largely into the amuse- 
ments of the more gay and robust. This house has 
a pleasant garden, with a long flight of steps lead- 
ing to a commanding elevation which overlooks 
the village below. In speaking of this house and 
Cory's at once, we may remark that the tables are 
well furnished, the servants attentive, the rooms 
commodious, and the company no less genteel than 
at Sans Souci. 

"The Old Spring, which is in the middle of the 
street opposite Aldridge's, was the first discovered 
in all this part of the country. It is said that the 
inhabitants were induced to trust to its peculiar 
virtues by the example of the deer of the forest, 
which had resorted to it in such numbers as to 
form beaten paths from every direction to the 
spot. The neighboring country was almost a per- 
fect wilderness at the close of the Revolutionary 
war; for the natural military route between Can- 
ada and the United States lay through it, and the 
Five Nations of Indians were so near on the west- 
ern side, and were frequently passing over it on 
their war parties that few white men were willing 
to encounter the dangers and risques to which such 
a residence must be exposed. * * * -pj^g qJj 
spring has fully regained its ancient reputation ; and 
as the tide of company was turned last season from 
Saratoga back to Ballston, it is to be presumed 
that youth and age will crowd as heretofore around 
its brink, and pleasure as well as health will again 
be dispensed at its fountain. 

"The Lover's Leap is a precipice of 60 or 70 feet, 
which overhangs the Kayaderosseras, and overlooks 
a romantic and secluded little valley, at the distance 
of about half a mile from the springs. The road 
leads up the hill beyond Aldridge's, and through a 
dark pine grove. A half trodden path turns off at 
the right and conducts to the precipice, which is a 
pleasant retreat in the heat of the day, affording a 
fine shade and frequently a pleasant breeze, as well 
as the view of a wild scene below, to which a 
steep descent conducts on the left hand. Many 
cheerful parties have visited this spot, many 
lonely and melancholy footsteps : it has drawn forth 
many enthusiastic remarks on the beauties of na- 
ture, and it is said some indifferent poetry. 

"There is a Reading Room and Circulating Li- 
bran.- kept at the store of Air. Comstock, and a book 
is also kept in which the names of visitors arriving 
at the principal houses are daily entered, for the in- 
formation of others." 

EIGHTEEN HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE. 

"The Tourist," a pocket manual for travel- 
ers, printed by Ludwig & Tolefree, New York, 
in 1831, says: 

"Ballston Spa is the resort of hundreds of trav- 
ellers during the summer months. There are a 



number of springs in the vicinity, the waters of 
which are not unlike those of Saratoga. A beau- 
tiful creek flows along the east end of the village, 
called the Kayaderosseras. This creek is a great 
resort for sportsmen, particularly those who de- 
light to sit on the bank of a meandering brook, 
'And from their depths delude the spotted fry.' 

"Two of the springs are near Mr. Aldridge's 
Boarding House, and the U. S. spring is at the east 
end of the village, near the Sans Souci hotel. A 
large bathing house is located near this spring, 
which is furnished with waters (for the purpose 
of bathing) from all the different springs in the 




Another Century Elm, Ballston Spa. 

vicinity. There is in the village a Court-house, two 
churches, and a female seminary; also a printing 
office and bookstore, to which a reading room is 
attached. 

"The principal hotels are the Sans Souci, kept 
by Mr. Loomis ; this is the most extensive, and has 
more company than any other house. There is a 
large gaidcn attached to it. Aldridge's Boarding 
House has a more retired location, and receives a 
good share of patronage. There is an extensive 
and beautiful garden connected with this establish- 
ment, which is always open to the guests. The 
Village Hotel, kept by Mr. Clark, is a few doors 
from the Sans Souci, and is a very agreeable board- 
ing house. The Mansion House, in the centre of 
the village, is well kept by Mr. Kidd. Mrs. Mc- 
]\Iaster's private boarding house is near the west 



140 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



spring on the flat. Those who wish a retired sit- 
uation will be pleased with this house." 

EIGHTEEN HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE. 

"The Tourist" was published by Harper & 
Brothers, New York, in 1839. It says: 

"Since the completion of the railroads, nearly all 
travellers to Ballston and Saratoga go by way of 
Schenectady or Troy, where they proceed direct to 
the Springs by way of the Railroad. The Schenec- 
tady and Saratoga Railroad is 36^^^ miles long; the 
Rensselaer and Saratoga Road from Troy to Balls- 
ton, 20 miles long." 

The description of the village given in 
"The Tourist" in 1831 is then repeated, and 
then occurs the following paragraph : 

"Ballston Lake is six miles from the village, and 
a ride to its banks affords a very pleasant excur- 
sion. It is five miles long and one in width. Hunt- 
ing and fishing abound on the borders and in the 
waters of the lake. If boats and other conven- 
iences were provided for the accommodation of 
visitors, it would be a place of great resort, but at 
present very few think of going there. The usual 
drive is to Riley's, at Saratoga Lake. Ballston was 
formerly the most fashionable place of resort, but 
latterly Saratoga has borne away the palm. Not 
till newer and more convenient public houses are 
erected at this place will visitors give it their sup- 
port. The public well, as it is called, was the gift 
of Sir William Johnson. Within the last year it 
has been repaired by the public authorities." 

Within recent years the prediction as to 
Ballston Lake has been fulfilled. Numerous 
summer cottages have been built on the lake 
shore, and with the building of the Schenec- 
tady and Saratoga electric railway, "Forest 
Park," on the east shore and at the south end 
of the lake is rapidly becoming one of the 
most famous recreation parks in Northern 
New York. 

.^N OLD liOOK. 

A rare old book of poetry, printed in 1806, 
is in the library of Senator Edgar T. Brackett' 
of Saratoga Springs. It is a literary curio! 
whose author is unknown. The title page 
reads : 

BALLSTON SPRINGS. 

"Dulce est Decifcre in toco." 

At Ballston to the fountain I repair, 

Or hold sweet converse with the charming fair, 

Or read a newspaper, or scribble rhyme. 

Or sauntring stroll, and muse away my time. 

New York: 

Printed by S. Gould, opposite the City Hall. 

1806. 



We copy from this unique old book the 
following: 

"introduction." 

"As the Ballston waters have afforded me much 
benefit in respect to my health, and occasioned the 
following effusions. I am induced to give them cur- 
rency, that those with feebler bodies may avail 
themselves of the Springs, and that those with 
stronger minds may be inspired to produce real 
poetry for entertainment and instruction." 

"address to the spring." 

"Let the drunkard's theme be wine. 
Fount of Ballston thou art mine. 
The bloated face, the pimpled nose. 
The stiffened joints, the aching toes. 
The sluggard blood, th' obstructed veins, 
The falt'ring tongue, the muddled brains; 
With th' unwieldy dropsied shape 
Shew the triumph of the grape — ' 
Ballston, health to thee I owe. 
And my spirits genial glow. 
Ballston, you my blood refin'd. 
You made all things joy impart. 
To my sympathizing heart — 
Grateful indeed I ought to be. 
You caus'd ('twas all in all to me) 
My Emma's smile, my Emma's praise. 
Too high a meed for trifling lays — " 

"Having proposed a subscription from every per- 
son coming to Ballston Springs, for a public gar- 
den, the following was written to encourage it." 

"Oh! think what pleasure nature's charms impart. 

To draw from worldly cares the human heart. 

What glowings flush with exercise the cheek, 

What inward bliss the roseate tints bespeak. 

The mother there with her boy repair, 

T' inhale the fragrance of balsamic air. 

What joy! beneath the shade to view her child. 

Ply its elastic limbs in gambols wild: 

She on its future prospects fondly bent. 

He on his momentary sports intent. 

The Statesman there may turn th' historic page. 

And learn experience from each former age. 

The poet there may court his Muse retir'd. 

And tracing vivid scenes become inspired. 

The lover there may wander in the grove. 

Indulging all the doubts of timid love. 

And stretched along the willow roots complain 

Of slighted vows in many a weeding strain. 

There noble youths and gentle nymphs may walk. 

Delighting and instructing each with talk. 

Or seated in some shady blest retreat. 

Mingle with S7vcet discourse their gjances sweet. 

What bliss! to view the flowers, shrubs and trees. 

And hear the murmuring rill and whispering breeze. 

What harmony, when birds in song unite, 

Fluttering, nestling, billing with delight. 

All eyes, all hearts a garden must approve, 

'Twas heaven's first gift to innocence and love." 



a 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



141 



"On seeing Miss * * * at the Bali.ston Springs." 

' "Fresh as the morn, when all the beauteous fair, 
Around the spring in dishabille repair. 
How charming to behold Eliza bend 
And take the glass from some assiduous friend. 
More pure, nor glass, nor water can appear, 
Spotless without, within from blemish clear. 
Envious 1 view the liquid which she sips 
Between her pulpy, swelling, ruby lips. 
Her little feet and nice turned ancles shew, 
Peeping from muslin petticoat below. 
Her attitude (like Venus who retires*) 
The waving line of grace which taste admires. 
To Fancy's eye my thoughts enraptured bring 
Hygeia smiling at her favorite spring. 
Trembling with strange sensations of delight. 
She shakes my reason, and bedims my sight. 
O'erpower'd, I feel constrained to bend the knee, 
By every impulse of Idolatry." 

"a supposed letter by a lady from BALLSTON." 

"Having now quite recovered from pains in my 

bones ; 
From jolting o'er gullies, o'er stumps and o'er 

stones, 
I'll fully detail how we pass away time. 
And hoping- to please you will scribble in rhyme. 
At morn, about seven, we each show our skill, 
In striking the beaux by a neat dishabille : 
Then repair to the spring, and smilingly greet 
With a curt'sy and compliment all whom we meet. 
There Miss Polly Guzzle with boasting will drink 
Twelve glasses at once, nor heeds what men think. 

When I hear her talk thus I go sauntering away 
Apprehensive lest blushes my mind should betray. 
At eight we to breakfast all scampering repair, 
What devouring, what chatt'ring, what bustle is 

there ! 
Three persons to please us by turns, have combin'd, 
And such a strange trio you rarely will find. 
Now Mrs. Burke Hamilton acts and recites 
And by voice most melodious each hearer delights. 
Now the tumblers, stout Meriel and slight Parmalee, 
Surprise by their strength and feats of agility. 
Now Stewart with lectures profound on the mind, 
Leaves Newton, and Bacon, and Locke far behind. 
Thus amus'd, my dear friend, every hour of the day, 
Our time unobserv'd hurries rapid away — 
Of matches I've heard very little as yet. 
Although for a lover each girl throws a net. 
'Tis whispered, but truly I cannot believe it, 
For though I have watched them I do not perceive it, 
That the gay Mr. Smirk courts my pert couzin Jane, 
And that she nothing loth, does not let him com- 
plain. 
The man I detest, he's so full of grimace. 
And at his own nonsense laughs in your face, 

""■The statue of Venus de Medicis represents the 
Goddess bending forward modestly to conceal her 
charms." 



I'm told he possesses a noble estate. 
And that with poor Jane is entitled to weight. 
She is not, you know, overburthen'd with sense, 
And as to good breeding she has no pretense. 
Perhaps when she's married she then may excel, 
Her temperament at school we both know too well. 

Now I'll tell you a secret, but pray do not blame 
If I speak of a Lover concealing his name. 
There's a gentleman here I have in my eye, 
Whom if he address'd me, I could not deny. 
His person is form'd every woman to please, 
Though less of Appollo than of Hercules, 
He seems rather clumsy to some nice beholders, 
So thick are his legs and so broad are his shoulders. 
He's made like a Hero our sex to protect. 
And to stature so manly I cannot object. 
His accent is slightly affected with brogue, 
But that amongst us is now all the vogue. 
By his looks and expressions I fancy he's courting, 
He ca.nnot I hope be with tenderness sporting. 
To all he's polite, but I clearly can see 
That his je ne scais qiioi is directed to me. 
Sometimes I am jealous of Miss Tittle Tattle, 
Who's body's a gig, and whose tongue is a rattle. 
He laughs so with her, and seems so much pleas'd, 
I can scarcely conceal how much I am teased. 
But when quitting her he your humble addresses, 
His smile and his air banish all my distresses. 
Then he sentiment talks, and so plaintive appears. 
My bosom beats quick and my eyes start with tears. 
You know that "a sigh midst enjoyment will stray, 
And a tear is the tribute which rapture must pay." 
He surely must see all the transport I feel. 
Which I'm not over-cautious in truth to conceal. 

'Tother day being tempted abroad by the weather, 
As we sat on a log talking softly together. 
He took out his pencil and wrote me these lines. 
As a poet he far every other outshines : 

"Whilst other damsels ogling riggling. 
Romp, nor know what they'd be at, i 
Whilst other girls with nonsense giggling, 
Please vulgar souls with trifling chat — 
Oh ! may I with my Nymph retire. 

And listen in a calm retreat. 
To sentiments I must admire, 
Cloth'd in words select and sweet." 

The rest I suppress lest with cynical smile, 
You should tell me 'tis flattery but to beguile. 
In truth he so fully possesses my heart, 
With my future and person I'd cheerfully part, 
But fortune I'm sure he most nobly despises. 
The soul of a woman is all that he prizes. 

My next, will, I hope, something certain relate. 
And determine, my friend, your Elizabeth's fate, 
No longer I'm healthful, no longer I'm gay. 
All who see me remark that I'm wasting away. 
Uncertainty kills me — why won't he reveal 
The pangs which he suffers and I wish to heal, 
I'll write you the moment my fears have an end — 
Whether married or single, believe me your friend." 

"Elizabeth Tinder." 



142 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Ballston in War 



THE record of old Balls-Town in the 
War of the Revolution, and of the 
village of Ballston Spa in the War 
of 1812; the War with Mexico; the 
War of the Rebellion ; and the recent War 
with Spain is a proud page of local history. 
filled with heroic deeds, and an intense patriot- 
ism that had its birth in "the spirit of 76." 

WAR OV THE REVOLUTION. 

The story of Revolutionary times has been 
given elsewhere in this history. Of the men 
who fought for American Independence it 
has never been possible to give a complete 
list. In the account of the celebration of the 
semi-centeiuiial of American Independence 
held in this village in 1826, it is stated that 
thirty-seven veterans of the Revolutionary 
War were in the procession. On the soldiers' 
monument in Low street may be seen the 
names of twenty Revolutionary soldiers. At 
the time the monument was dedicated these 
twenty were supposed to be all the men the 
sparsely settled Balls-Town District furnished 
in that protracted and heroic struggle. 

From a volume published by the State in 
1898, entitled "New York in the Revolution," 
we are enabled to give in this history, for the 
first time, the names of seventy-seven soldiers 
of the Revolution from the Balls-Town Dis- 
trict. This volume has an interesting history. 
During the first term of Hon. James A. Rob- 
erts as Coni|)troller, he discovered in his office 
quantities of forgotten papers relating to the 
services performed by New York in the Rev- 
olutionary war. Realizing their value, com- 
petent men were set at work to sort out and 
arrange the papers. Up to this time the num- 
ber of men credited to New York, and accept- 
ed as correct was 17,781. In these papers 
positive proof was foimd of the service of 
43,643 men. an increase of 25,864, placing 
New York second onlv to ]\Tassachusetts in 



the number of men furnished. Besides this 
muster-roll, as the Comptroller terms it, twen- 
ty-nine large volumes relating to the Revolu- 
tionary war have been compiled and published 
from these "forgotten papers." Mr. Roberts 
also says : "Nor do the names contained in 
this volume in all probability comprise all of 
those from New York who performed service 
in that great struggle." 

It is, however, undoubtedly the most com- 
plete record that will ever be made. The fol- 
lowing are the names of the men from Balls- 
town : 

Lt.-Col. James Gordon ; Major Andrew Mitch- 
ell ; Adjutant David Ruinsey; Captains Beriah 
Palmer, Stephen White, Elisha Benedict and Ty- 
rannis Collins; Lieutenants John Ball, Epenetus 
White, WilHam McCrea, Thomas Brown, Fran- 
cis Salisbury and Benjamin Wood; Ensign, Na- 
than Raymond. Soldiers of the Line and of the 
Militia — Stephen Ball, Flamen Ball, Elias Bene- 
dict, Felix Benedict, Caleb Benedict, Thomas Bar- 
num, William Bettys, Joel Brown, Justus Blanch- 
ard, Samuel Clark, David Cory, Daniel Chase, 
John Davis, Nathan Evans. Joshua English, Jacob 
Fulmer, Stephen Fuller, Grixson Frisbj', Sanbun 
Ford, Kenneth Gordon, John Higby, Lewis Higby, 
Albert Hansen, Abijah Hubbell, Jabez Hubbell, 
Josiah Hollister, Caleb Holmes, Edmund Jennings, 
Justus Jennings, John Kennedy. Thomas Kennedy, 
George Kennedy, Ephraim Ketchum, Michael Mc- 
Donald. Samuel McCrea. Stephen Merrick. John 
McKnight, Michael Middlebrook, Joseph IVIore- 
house, Azor Nash, John Nash. Samuel Nash. Ja- 
bez Patchin, Samuel Patchin, John Pierson. Jere- 
miah Pierson, Thomas Smith, Thaddeus Patchin, 
Thomas Salisbury, Philip Salisbury, Sunderland 
Sears, Nehemiah Seely, John Sprague, Elijah 
Sprague, Ebenezer Sprague, Jr., John Taylor, Ed- 
ward A. Watrous, Lemuel Wilcox. Titus Watson, 
John Whitehead, Enoch Wood. Elijah Wood, Ste- 
phen Wood. 

WAR OF 1812. 

In 181 2 the declaration of war against Great 
Britain again aroused an intense spirit of 
patriotism, and among the loyal sons of Balls- 
ton who responded to the call of their country 
were the following: 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTOX SPA 



143 



Captain Reuben Westcot, Capt. Isaac Curtis, 
Joel Lee, Elijah Armstrong, Nathaniel Burnham, 
Jonathan S. Beach, Timothy Bailey, Chester 
Clapp, William Collamer, Thomas Collamer, Al- 
pheus Goodrich, Azariah W. Odell, Abner S. Irish, 
M. Holden, A. C. Harlow, William Chapman, 
Henry P. Chapman, E. Dunning, Sanbun Ford, 
William H. Ford, Amasa Ford, Simeon Ford, John 
Luther, G. Morehouse, J. Morse, G. Pratt, Stephen 
S. Seaman, G. Quackenbush, Alva Robertson, John 
Story, L. Smith, W. J. Stilwell, Cornelius Scher- 
merhorn, E. Taylor, D. Weed, S. Taylor, Freeman 
Thomas, John Wheeler, Silas Smith, Lewis Miller, 
S. Curtis, William Evans. 



THE WAR WITH MEXICO. 

War was declared with Mexico in 1846, and 
in the Ballston Journal of April 27, 1847, we 
find an accoimt of the departure of Ballston 
boys for the scene of war. The Journal said : 

"honor to the brave." 

"On Saturday last the following young men, 
viz : Albert Barnes, Henry Ford, Seneca Shepard, 
Philander Millard, Wm. H. Thompson, Andrew 
Armstrong, Wilber Palmer, Hiram Smith, James 
Porter, Wm. H. McKittrick and Nicholas Arm- 
strong, left our village for the seat of war in 
Mexico. We can say with truth that a braver set 
of young men are not to be found, and should 
they be called to meet the foe there will be no flinch- 
ing on their part, but all will give a good account 
of themselves. In such hands we are perfectly 
willing to trust the reputation of Old Saratoga for 
bravery and prowess in arms." 

Other volunteers in this war were James 
Schermerhorn, Ransom B. Pettit, Alvin 
Luther, Oliver Whitehead, Scott Armstronaf, 
E. M. Christie, T. C. Henry, S. Irish, William 
Jarvis, John M. Story, H. Van De Bogart, F. 
Miller, Edward Gray and Ransom Peckham. 

William H. Tliompson writing home from 
New York told of their first engagement : 
"Already we have stood the charge against 
overwhelming niunbers of Albany rowdies, 
who attacked us, while peacefully marching 
through the streets, with clubs, slung shots 
and brick-bats, and I assure you some of 
them paid dearlv for waking up the ire of 
•Old Saratoga.' "' 

Four of Ballston's sons were killed in bat- 
tle. They were Jaines Schermerhorn, Ran- 
som B. Pettit, Alvin Luther and Hiram Smith. 
A monument to their memory stands in the 
village cemeter}'. 

Of the return of some of the veterans, the 
Ballston Journal of August 22, 1848, said: 

t 



"SAFE RETURN OF VOLUNTEERS." 

"The 'Ballston Boys,' who went from this vil- 
lage and vicinity to tight the battles of their coun- 
try, have just returned from Mexico. Their ar- 
rival created quite a sensation, and immediately 
the 'old trophy gun' was brought out, which soon 
made the welkin ring in honor of their safe ar- 
rival. The names of the volunteers who have re- 
turned are McKittrick, Shepard, N. and A. Arm- 
strong, H. Ford, W. Palmer and J. Porter." 

A coinplimentary supper was given the 
returned soldiers at the Village Hotel August 
19th. One hundred and thirty were present. 
Judge George G. Scott presided. There were 
twelve regular toasts, and twenty-three vol- 
unteer toasts. 

THE CIVIL WAR. 

The election of Abraham Lincoln to the 
presidency of the United States in Novem- 
ber, i860; the talk of the secession of the 
Southern States which immediately followed, 
and the general unwillingness on the part of 
the North to believe that the South would ap- 
peal to the dread arbitrament of civil war be- 
cause of defeat in the presidential contest, 
are facts well within the memory of the writer, 
at that time a boy of fourteen. It is not our 
purpose to enter into a discussion of the 
causes which led up to the war, but rather to 
tell the story of the stirring days of '61 to 
'65 in the village of Ballston Spa. 

When the news of the firing on Fort 
Sumter, in Charleston harbor, on April 12, 
1861, reached Ballston, the excitement occa- 
sioned by the opening of hostilities rose to 
fever heat, and the fires of patriotism which 
had been smouldering for months burst forth 
in a flame of wrath and indignation which 
can orily be fully appreciated by those who 
participated in the scenes which were enacted. 

The Journal said : 

"The firing upon Fort Sumter was a surprise upon 
the country, followed by the sweeping of a wild ex- 
citement over the Free States, equal to that caused 
by the battle of Lexington. Slavery has drawn its 
glittering steel and bathed it in fr,aternal blood. 
That blood is the signal of Freedom's victory. That 
blood will cry out for retribution. That blood will 
blot out party distinctions, sufficiently, at least, at 
the North, to unite us in a common bond for the 
preservation of our Government, our Nationality, 
and our Free Institutions. It has united our peo- 
ple in one common sentiment of love for the Union, 
and rallied them to the single purpose of preserv- 
ing it at all hazards. The loss of Sumter is our 
greatest gain." 



144 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



While the bravery of Major Anderson and 
his heroic little band was on every lip, it 
was not known at the time, nor, indeed, until 
long afterward, that the hand which fired 
the first shot from Fort Sumter in defiance 
of the traitorous southern crew who, from 
Fort Moultrie had assaulted "Old Glory," was 
the hand of Lieutenant Abner S. Doubleday, 
of the United States Army, and a native of 
Ballston Spa. Before the close of the war 
he attained the high rank of Brevet-]\Iajor 
General, U. S. A. Gen. Doubleday was a 
son of Ulysses F. Doubleday, editor of one 
of the village papers from 1816 to 1823. 

A spirit of intense loyalty was everj'where 
manifest in the village, but there were a 
number, and among them some prominent 
citizens, who sympathized with the South. 
These men had been enthusiastic supporters 
of Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency, 
but they did not follow the noble Douglas, 
who said, in his outspoken support of the 
National Government, 'I deprecate war, but 
if it must come I am with my country, and 
for my country under all circumstances and 
in everv contingency. Individual policy must 
be subordinate to the public safety." These 
"secessionists," with many others all over the 
North, who espoused the Southern cause, 
came to be known as "copperheads." They 
were strong in expressing their belief that 
the South would win in the terrible conflict ; 
that the war was provoked by the North, and 
that the South should be allowed to go in 
peace, and the war be brought to a close. 

It was this kind of talk, in which a few 
newspapers joined, that led Horace Greeley, 
in his New York Tribune, to make his famous 
assertion, "I will not say that all Democrats 
are traitors, but I will say that all traitors are 
Democrats." The truth of this nice distinc- 
tion made by the great editor was abundantly 
proven when the call came for seventy-five 
thousand volunteers, for Democrat and Re- 
publican alike nobly responded, and stood 
shoulder to shoulder for the defense of the 
Union, and nobody knew, or cared to inquire, 
whether one or the other of the great political 
parties had the larger number among the vol- 
unteers. 

On the evening of April 23, 1861, a large 
and enthusiastic meeting was held in Waverly 
Hall, to take measures for enlisting a com- 



pany of volunteers. Hon. . James M. Cook 
presided, and patriotic speeches were made 
by Seymour Chase, C. C. Hill, James W. Hor- 
ton, and the venerable Dr. Babcock. A com- 
mittee of fifteen was appointed to have charge 
of the enlisting of volunteers. The following 
gentlemen were the committee : C. C. Hill, 
Robert Speir, Samuel Rue, Henry Knicker- 
backer, Seymour Chase, S. H. Drake, N. P. 
Hammond, Adam Wilbur, Chauncey Kilmer, 
Charles D. Seely, William Warner, Nathaniel 
Mann, Reuben Westcot, H. L. Grose, E. W. 
Reynolds. 

Hon. Isaiah Blood, Hon. George G. Scott, 
Samuel H. Cook, William T. Odell and James 
W. Horton were appointed a committee to 
raise money for the support of the families of 
volunteers. Amid much enthusiasm, with the 
band playing Yankee Doodle, the meeting ad- 
journed. Within three days $1,500 was sub- 
scribed, and men were enlisting for service 
in the Union Armv. 




/flood's &ATTLt AkL'?' 



In the issue of the Journal containing an 
account of this meeting the "Town Rambler" 
in his weekly summary of local events, said: 
"I am gratified to see that nearly all our citi- 
zens, without regard to party, denounce the 
recent acts of the Southern traitors. One 
of our leading politicians has met with a con- 
version as sudden as that of Saul of Tarsus. 
Our citizens are waking up to a healthy ex- 
citement." The politician referred to was 
Hon. Isaiah Blood. He was State Senator at 
this time, and was appointed by Governor 
Morgan on the War Committee for Saratoga 
county. April 20 Mr. Blood received an order 
for a large number of "battle axes" for a 
Massachusetts company of flying artillery. 
The axes were made and delivered in ten 
days. They were two feet in length, of the 
finest steel his shops could produce, and were 
intended, not only to clear the way for the ar- 
tillery through the forests, but for use in bat- 
tle as well, and were more terrible as imple- 
ments of war than the broadsword of feudal 
days. Some time before the firing on Fort 
Sumter Mr. Blood received an order for 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



145 



similar weapons from New Orleans, but re- 
fused to furnish them. He could not be se- 
duced from the lofty patriotic stand he had 
taken. 

Gen. Cook on hearing: that the Albany 
Burgesses Corps had tendered their services 
to Governor Morgan, wrote to his son, James 
Cady Cook, in Albany, this letter: 

"Ballston Spa, April 22, 1861. 
"Dear Son — I see by the Troy papers received 
here this afternoon, that the 'Burgesses' have ten- 
dered their services to the Governor. If this is so 
you must not fail to go with them. This is hard 
advice for a father to give an only son, and the 
more so when the situation of your own family is 
considered. It would be a burning disgrace to you 
if you failed in duty now, such as you could never 
recover from during your whole life, and would 
stigmatize the whole family. You are too young a 
man to start wrong in life, and although you have 
everything to keep you at home, it will not do at 
this time to stand back, if the Company of which 
you are a member has volunteered. Whilst I re- 
gret the necessity (if it exists,) it is one of those 
responsibilities that must be met at all hazards. 
The war feeling is so strong here that it is danger- 
ous to personal safety to preach treason. 
"Yours affectionately, 

"JAS. M. COOK." 

The Journal commenting, said, "this is the 
kind of talk for the times, and is just what 
might be expected from the known character 
of the man. Do the Southern chivalry hope 
to subdue the sons of such sires? We know 
they are brave as any men need be, but they 
can never conquer men who are equally as 
brave, and five to one. Never! never 1" 

In striking contrast to the letter of Mr. 
Cook, the Journal, a few weeks later, said: 
"The following correspondence recently 
passed between a gentleman and his son, 
who left college to fight for his country: 

'B., Jr. — If you enlist, I disinherit you. B., Sr.' 
'B., Sr. — Without a country, I want no inherit- 
ance. I have enlisted. B., Jr.' " 

April 29 a splendid liberty pole, one hun- 
dred and thirty feet in height was raised in 
front of the Armory, in the presence of thou- 
sands, and "old glory" proudly waved from 
its top. An incident in connection with this 
event is given further on in this chapter. 
The stars and stripes floated from a high 
pole in front of the Cook mills on the Island ; 
the cotton factory of J. A. Hovey, and the 
knitting mill of Hiro Jones were covered 



with flags, and from the poles on the court 
house and the armory the national ensign 
was flung to the breeze. 

THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS. 

The first Ballston boys to enlist were 
George M. Hoyt, Robert Birch Kelly and 
John Emperor. The call for volunteers was 
made April 15, and two days later, April 17, 
Hoyt, Kelly and Emperor enlisted in Com- 
pany I, i8th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., recruited 
in Albany. 

Chauncey B. Irish, then living in Wor- 
cester, Mass., enlisted about the same time, 
in Holt's Rifle Corps. Just before starting 
for Washington his friends presented him 
with a bowie knife and revolver costing 
twenty dollars. On being mustered in the 
inspecting officer pronounced him to be the 
hardiest and strongest man in the batallion. 

"Will" Horton and John Harlow were the 
next to enroll, joining the 44th Regiment, en- 
listed almost entirely from the city of Albany. 
This regiment was known as the "Ellsworth 
Avengers." 

Harlow and Irish were young men of 
gigantic strength, and as courageous as they 
were strong. When the boys of the village 
first heard of the remark of a Southern fire- 
eater, that "one Southerner was as good as 
five Yankee 'mudsills,' we eagerly discussed 
as to what would happen if that 'fire-eater' 
should tackle either Harlow or Irish. We 
were quite sure his opinion would be surpris- 
ingly modified, in fact, that it would be en- 
tirely reversed, for we knetv that in all the 
Southland the physical prowess of these Balls- 
ton boys could not be equalled, and that one 
Yankee was as good as five Southerners any 
time and anywhere. Before the war was 
over, even our village boys conceded, some- 
what reluctantly we admit, that the Southern 
troops were equally brave as those of the 
North ; but we softened the verdict by saying, 
"Well, we are all of one blood, anyhow I" 

In the latter part of May, John Thompson 
arrived at home from Memphis, Tennessee. 
He said, "I was impressed into the rebel army, 
but not relishing the idea of fighting against 
the Union, I took 'French leave' one night, 
of the minions of JefT. Davis, and fled for 
my old home." 



146 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



A VERMONT CAPTAIN. 

It was not an uncommon thing at this time 
for trains to pass through the village carrying 
troops from the northern counties and from 
Vermont to the front. Great crowds would 
gather at the railroad station to greet them 
and cheer them on their way. One day a 
long train, drawn by two locomotives, and 
having aboard an entire Vermont regimen:, 
halted for some time at Ballston, while some 
repairs were being made to one of the en- 
gines. Many of the brawny Vermonters 
alighted from the cars, and marched up and 
down the station yard. And magnificent 
looking men they were. Some of our boys 
who had recently enlisted said to a group of 
the Vermont recruits, "we'll see you in Wash- 
ington." This incident was recalled to the 
writer forty years later, in the little mining 
town of Atlanta, in the mountains of Idaho. 
Seated at dinner by the side of a stalwart 
miner, I noticed that he wore the small 
"bronze button" of the G. A. R. Thinking I 
might hear some reminiscence of the "days 
of '6i," I said to him: "Did you serve with 
the Western troops in the war?" He replied, 
"No! I was from Vermont — what regiment 
were you in?" Saying that I could not claim 
the honor of having served in the Union army, 
I remarked that my home was in Saratoga 
county, New York. "Saratoga, did you say?" 
he quickly replied ; "do you know Col. 
French." Replying that the Colonel was one 
of my friends, my hand was seized with a grip 
which proved that the good right arm of the 
Vermont soldier had lost none of its vigor. 
He said: "I'm glad to know you! my Regi- 
ment and the 77th New York were in the 
same brigade. No braver officer ever belted 
on a sword than Col. French. And say! 
that 77th could fight. They didn't know 
what the word "retreat" meant, and there 
wasn't a Regiment in either army, North or 
South, that could whip them, unless (and a 
twinkle came into his eyes) it was ours." 
Saying, in response to an inquiry, that my 
home was at Ballston Spa, seven miles south 
of Saratoga, the veteran said: "I know the 
place ; when we were going to the front that 
was the only place our train stopped between 
Rutland and Albany. I remember some of 
your boys said they would see us in Washing- 
ton. I don't know whether they did or not. 



or whether they were in the 77th or some 
other Regiment, but if your town had any 
boys in that fighting crowd, you ought to be 
proud of them." I told him that Company B 
was from Ballston. "Well, well," he said, 
"I am glad to see you ; it brings back old army 
days. Tell Col. French when you get home, 

that Capt. of the th Vermont, 

sends his very best regards. He'll remember 
me." Shaking hands, we parted, and with a 
long, swinging step, the old veteran started 
up the mountain trail. At a little distance he 
turned and shouted back: "Don't forget my 
name and regiment, and give my love to the 
Colonel I" A-fter the lapse of several years 
the name and regiment of the Vermonter has 
passed from our memory, but the incident will 
never be forgotten. The message was de- 
livered to Gen. French a month later and he 
said : "You don't tell me ! Remember Capt. 

; well, I guess I do! He was 

a brave soldier, in a brave Regiment. With 
the — th Vermont and the old 77th, (God 
bless them!) behind me, we could whip our 
weight in wild cats !" and the General's eyes 
gleamed with the old "battle-fire" as he 
spoke. 

COMPROMISE AND PEACE. 

In the month of July, 1861, handbills were 
posted in the village which read : "Peace, 
Compromise and Union! All who are in 
favor of peace, compromise and union, and op- 
posed to a large standing army. All opposed 
to a large national debt, are requested to meet 
at the Court House in Ballston Spa on Sat- 
urday, July 27, at 3 p. m." About one hun- 
dred citizens attended the meeting, a larsfe 
majority of whom were not in sympathy with 
its purpose. John Wait presided, and John 
Brotherson was the first speaker. He spoke 
at considerable length, the keynote of his 
speech finding expression in these words: 
"It is the agitation of the slave question 
which has brought the present trouble on 
our country. Those who favor the war are 
disunionists. War is in eflfect disunion. How 
can this be averted? By compromise. Com- 
promise is peace, and peace, on any honorable 
terms, is preferable to war, which must end 
in permanent disunion." 

C. C. Hill, a prominent lawyer, and an elo- 
quent speaker, was then called out by the 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



147 



Chairman. -Mr. Hill was chairman of the 
committee on enlistment of volunteers, and 
it had been rumored that he was not taking: 
any active part in the work, and had been 
heard to say that he was in favor of a peace- 
ful compromise, and in sympathy with the 
objects of the meeting. But if any one had 
believed these rumors, they were quickly un- 
deceived. Mr. Hill made a fiery speech, cre- 
ating the wildest enthusiasm, and turning the 
meeting into a rousing endorsement of the 
Union cause. After denying, in most em- 
phatic language, the rumors with regard to 
himself, Mr. Hill continuing, said: "I feel 
called upon to repudiate and denounce such 
meetings as this. Mr. Brotherson has gravely 
inquired, what has produced this war. I 
will tell him. This war is to be traced to the 
very scoundrels who now have arms in their 
hands." Upon the question of compromise, 
Mr. Hill said : "There is only one I would 
make. I would be willing to say to Jefferson 
Davis and his whole traitorous crew, lay down 
your arms and return to your allegiance, and 
vour miserable lives, which you have justly 
forfeited to the laws of your country, shall 
be spared." 

The speech, and a resolution which Mr. 
Hill ofiFered at its conclusion, did not please 
the gentlemen who had signed the call for the 
meeting, and one of them, evidently disgusted 
with the complexion which matters w£re as- 
suming, said in a complaining manner, "Those 
who called the meeting ought to have the 
privilege of conducting its business, I doubt 
the right of Mr. Hill to submit the resolution 
he has offered." Another said: "I think 
Mr. Hill's speech too much in keeping with 
the spirit that now carries on the war. We 
all want the war ended. The nigger is at the 
bottom of it. I wish to ask Mr. Hill if he 
thinks the slaves can be liberated without des- 
troying the Union? No one believes that 
every slave can be freed and the Union be 
preserved." 

Mr. Hill replied — "I say they can. I say 
it is a slander on the Government to say that 
this war is for the liberation of the slaves. 
But if in the war to put down the rebellion, 
slavery should necessarily be abolished, as a 
legitimate result of the war, I shall not shed 
many tears over it. I repeat, better that 
every slave should be run oflf than that the 



Government be broken up. Has slavery done 
more for the world than American liberty? 
Are not the laws of the Free States better 
than the Black Code of the South? Why is 
it that gentlemen here have so much to say 
about wrongs done to the South, and nothing 
to say of the wrongs done by the South?" 
The meeting broke up with cheers for the 
Union, President Lincoln and the Union 
army. 

A correspondent writing to the Journal 
August 5. said : 

"It seems that we have in our midst sympathizers 
with the South. There are men among them of 
high standing, heretofore ; men formerly having in- 
fluence, and who may even now, by their traitorous 
harangues, turn the minds of some of our loyal cit- 
izens. How much longer will this be permitted? 
Shall we permit a few rebels to arise in our midst 
and aid in destroying this glorious fabric built up 
by the blood of our fathers? By no means. Let 
some course be taken to break up 'peace meetings,' 
and treat everyone who attends to express his sym- 
pathy for our country's enemies, in a manner which 
shall insure a perfect dislodgment." 

Another wrote: "Here in our midst, and scat- 
tered through all the towns and villages of the 
North, are men whose sympathies are enlisted in 
the cause of Southern treason, and whose influence, 
so far as it goes, is all thrown against the Govern- 
ment and the flag." 

While the North was smarting: under the 
disaster and defeat at the first battle of Bull 
Run, in the month of July, Hon. James B. 
McKean, then our Representative in Congress, 
issued from his home in Saratoga Springs, a 
call for volunteers, in which he said : "Let 
us organize a Bemis Heights Battalion, and 
vie with each other in serving our country, 
thus showing we are inspired by the holy 
memories of the Revolutionary battle-fields 
upon and near which we are living." 

COMPANY B, 77TH REGIMENT. 

This call met with immediate response 
from all parts of the county. A meeting was 
held at the Armory in this village to com- 
plete the organization of the Ballston Com- 
pany. Stephen Horton was called on to 
speak. He said : "I cannot make a speech. 
We are engaged in a glorious cause. I ad- 
dress you as soldiers, for I have enlisted with 
you. We go to the battle field, and there are 
no hardships falling to a soldier's lot that we 
are not willing to share. We go as the de- 
fenders of our country and our flag — not to 



148 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



subjugate a people, but to preserve our coun- 
try, and the blessings and privileges bought 
by the blood of our patriot ancestors. We 
follow the flag first unfurled on our soil, and 
for our country we will live, for our country 
we will die. My life is my country's, and 
here I pledge it on the altar of my country." 

C. C. Hill took the opportunity to correct 
the report that he did not intend to go with 
the Company, saying : "I tell you I am going 
with this Company in any capacity assigned 
me. Its fortunes shall be my fortunes ; its 
defeat my defeat; its triumph my triumph. I 
have no promise of office, and shall have none 
unless chosen by this Company. Capt. Ham- 
mond authorizes me to say the same for him." 

At this meeting the total number enrolled 
was fifty-four. 

A week later, on the evening of September 
23, a meeting was held in Waverly Hall. The 
hall was crowded. L. Murray Crane presided, 
and in opening the meeting said : "It is well 
known that our Company is to start for the 
drill camp at Saratoga to-morrow. The ob- 
ject of this meeting is to bid them farewell, 
and to raise funds to provide for their 
families." 

Gen. Cook said : "I am proud to see that 
old Ballston is to take the field, and that the 
honor of Ballston is safe in your keeping. 
We shall make arrangements for the proper 
care of your families, and I call upon Mr. 
Horton to render a report of the committee 
on finance." Mr. Horton reported that the 
fund was $2,450, from which $20 a week has 
been paid, leaving the fund now about $2,000. 
Mr. Cook made a proposition as an individual 
to pay four dollars to each family of a volun- 
teer who was mustered into service. 

Judge Scott was called for and responded 
as follows: "I came to hear others, not to 
make a speech. This is an occasion that oc- 
curs but seldom. A few years ago several of 
our citizens went to the Mexican war. They 
returned and their reception was honorable. 
You go forth, not against a foreign foe, but 
to put down a domestic enemy. You go 
against a most gigantic rebellion warring upon 
the most beneficent Government in the world. 
You go forth, I trust, not to a long war. I 
hope it will soon be ended. I trust the day is 
not far distant when this rebellion will be 
crushed — when the deluded men of the South 



will return to their allegiance, and you will 
come back to us crowned with honor." 

C. C. Hill said: "I shall make no speech. 
Ten days ago we commenced our Company, 
and to-night we have eighty men enrolled, a 
result equal to anything accomplished in the 
cities. Notwithstanding our unparalleled 
success, it has not been without opposition. 
Insidious and disgraceful opposition has en- 
deavored to thwart our enterprise. It has 
been said that you are not bound to go. To 
settle this I read the enlistment roll. It is not 
a promise to enlist, but an actual enlistment." 

A few days later the Company numbered 
over ninety men. C. C. Hill was elected Cap- 
tain; N. P. Hammond, first lieutenant; Ste- 
phen S. Horton, second lieutenant. 

Company E was the rank given the Balls- 
ton company in the regiment. At "Camp 
Schuyler," the name given the drill camp, the 
following was adopted: 

"Resolved, That in consideration of the patriotic 
and efficient aid rendered by Gen. James M. Cook 
in the formation of this Company, and of the 
munificent provision made by him for the support 
of the famiUes of its members, and as a mark of 
respect for him personally, we hereby adopt as the 
name of this Company, the 'James M. Cook Na- 
tional Guard'." 

Governor Morgan designated the Bemis 
Heights Battalion the "77th Regiment," in 
commemoration of the year in which the bat- 
tle of Bemis Heights was fought. 

The Bemis Heights Battalion, Col. James 
B. McKean, commanding, left Saratoga for 
Washington on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, 
November 28. The train did not stop at 
Ballston, where a great crowd had assembled 
to say good-bye to Company B. The Com- 
pany and Regiment, however, had a rousing 
reception and farewell as the train passed the 
station, from the cheering crowd, the firing 
of cannon, the ringing of bells, and the toot- 
ing of whistles. 

Rev. David Tully, pastor of the Presby- 
terian Church, was appointed Chaplain of the 
Regiment, and preached his farewell sermon 
on Sunday evening, December ist, to a con- 
gregation that filled the church to overflow- 
ing. In closing his sermon, Mr. Tully said, 
"I expect to return in June next, by which 
time I think the rebellion will be put down." 
Many others believed that the war would be 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



149 



of brief duration, but they were sadly mis- 
taken. 

Miletus S. Taft, a member of the Ballston 
Cornet Band, organized the Regimental Band 
of the 77th Regiment, and was its leader. At- 
wood Wilber, Collins Foster and Luther Irish 
were also members of the Ballston Band who 
joined the Regimental band. 

Capt. Hill and Lieut. Hammond resigned 
on account of continued ill health, in July, 
1862, and Lieut. Horton was promoted to 




Captam 6Li.phen S. Hui tun. 

the Captaincy, and became the idol of his 
company. He never asked his men to go 
where he was not ready to lead. In the battle 
of Fredericksburgh, while leading his Com- 
pany in a desperate charge, he came near 
losing his life. He was stunned by the burst- 
ing of a shell, and carried to the rear, sup- 
posed to be mortally wounded. 

At this time Col. McKean was ill at his 
home in Saratoga, and Lt.-Col. French, (after- 
ward Gen. French,) was in command of the 
77th. Writing of this battle to Col. McKean, 
he gave this glowing description of the 
charge : 



'"We charged up the heights and Capt. Wheeler 
fell while urging on his men. (Wheeler was cap- 
tain of the Saratoga Company, C.) We took one 
stand of colors from the i8th Mississippi, and nearly 
one hundred men, a Lieutenant-Colonel and a 
Captain. The 33rd New York followed on the right, 
and of course did their work well. On the left I 
had no support, so I rallied the men on the colors, 
and charged up the hill alone. Oh, how nobly the 
boys moved up. I rushed on with them and cap- 
tured two brass cannon, a pair of horses, caissons, 
etc., and about twenty prisoners. Gen. Howe rode 
up while I had my foot on the cannon and said : 
'Noble boys — the 77th has covered itself with glory'." 

Under date of April 10, 1863, Captain 
Horton wrote his father, James W. Horton: 

"My Company is getting on quite well. I feel 
proud of old Company B. Their ranks are thinned, 
and many of the old faces are not seen, but what 
are left are of the right sort. They have just come 
in from inspection by the Brigade Inspector, and 
he told me that our equipments were in as good 
order as any Company he ever inspected — in fact, 
old Company B can't be beat" 

Captain Horton was twice severely wounded 
in battle, the last time at the battle of Antie- 
tam. May 23, 1863, he was honorably dis- 
charged, with high commendation for bravery 
in the field, his wounds incapacitating him for 
further service. 

The three years' term of enlistment having 
e.xpired, the 77th returned to Saratoga in No- 
vember, 1864, and on December 13 was mus- 
tered out of service. Ten men of Company 
B were mustered out at this time. The other 
members, some forty in number, with many 
others who enlisted in 1861, re-enlisted, and 
with the recruits added to the Regiment in 
1862, and subsequently, were organized into 
the 77th Veteran Battalion, under the com- 
mand of Captain David J. Caw. The Battal- 
ion was assigned to the place vacated by the 
old 77th, and remained in the service until 
the close of the war. The war over the Bat- 
talion was mustered out June 27, 1865. Com- 
pany B took part in fifty-three skirmishes, en- 
gagements and battles. 

COMPANY C, II5TH REGIMENT. 

Hon. George S. Batcheller, on July 29, 1862, 
was commissioned Captain of Volunteers, and 
authorized to enlist a Company of volunteers, 
to be attached to the 115th New York, then 
being recruited in the counties of Montgom- 
ery, Fulton, Hamilton and Saratoga, form 



150 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



ing the Fifteenth Senate District. Mr. 
Batcheller was a son-in-law of James M. 
Cook, and resided in Ballston Spa. He at 
once opened a recruiting station in the vil- 
lage, and on August 12, fourteen days from 
the time he received his commission his com- 
pany was more than full, one hundred and 
twenty-five men having enrolled. 

Gen. Cook proposed that the citizens of 
Ballston Spa make a subscription for the pur- 




Captain William H. McKittrick. 

pose of paying ten dollars to each volunteer 
in Captain Batcheller's company, and started 
the list with $250. Isaiah Blood and Samuel 
H. Cook each gave $200, and the amount re- 
quired was quickly raised by subscriptions 
ranging from $50 to $10, the sum of $1,300 
being contributed. 

Ten days later Capt. Batcheller was ap- 
pointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment, 
and William H. McKittrick, a veteran of the 
Mexican war was commissioned Captain of 
Company C. Capt. McKittrick was killed in 
battle before Richmond in 1864. His body 
was never recovered, and he lies in an im- 



known soldier's grave. McKittrick Post is 
named in honor of his memory. 

Col. Batcheller resigned in November, 1863, 
and was succeeded as Lt-Colonel by Nathan 
J. Johnson, a former resident of Ballston Spa. 
Johnson acted as Colonel of the regiment from 
April, 1865, to the close of the war, receiving 
his commission as Colonel on the day the 
regiment was mustered out of service. Col. 
Johnson again became a resident of this vil- 
lage, where he died. 

Gen. Batcheller was born in Batchellerville, 
and soon after reaching his twenty-first year 
was elected Member of Assembly from the 
Second District. After his resignation from 
the army he was made Inspector-General of 
the State of New York, and later was ap- 
pointed to represent the United States as 
Judge in the International Court at Cairo, 
Egypt. He served again in the Assembly in 
the years 1866, 1869, 1873 and 1874. He 
has been United States Minister to Portugal. 
Assistant Treasurer of the United States, and 
is now serving for a second term as Judge of 
the International Court at Cairo. 

Company C of the 115th Regiment, was re- 
cruited in Ballston Spa, and the immediate 
vicinity, and many of the survivors of the 
Company are still residents of the village. 
About twenty-five members of Co. I were also 
from this village and vicinity. The' Regiment 
took part in ten battles : Maryland Heights, 
Olustee, Drewry's Blufif, Coal Harbor, Peters- 
burg, Deep Bottom. Chapin's Farm, Darby- 
town Road, Fort Fisher and Wilmington. 
And also in twenty-one skirmishes and en- 
gagements of more or' less importance. 

Other regiments in which men were en- 
listed from this village were the 44th New 
York Infantry, the 4th and 13th Heavy Ar- 
tillery and the 2nd Cavalry. 

DISASTER. 

After the disastrous campaign early in 
1863, the following appeared in the Journal: 

"In Despair. — The Ballston Atlas, in an articlfe 
headed 'Disaster to our arms,' says : 'Pen stops as 
the dismal future looms up horrid' and desperate, 
and Faith and Hope are no longer with us.' Pos- 
sibly the Atlas for once feels bad over the Union 
reverses. Probably it feels bad. On the whole we 
think it now certainly feels bad. It is without 
Faith and Hope, which is a sad condition. Its pen 
stops, which will be no loss to the public. If it 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



151 



would only stay stopped the world would turn 
round as usual." 

The Journal of February ii, 1862, gave the 
following samples of "war poetry:" 

"repudiation." 

'Neath a ragged palmetto a Southerner sat, 
A-twirling the band of his panama hat, 
And trying to lighten his mind of a load 
By humming the words of the following ode: 
'Oh ! for a nigger and oh for a whip ! 
Oh ! for a cocktail ! and oh ! for a nip I 
Oh ! for a shot at old Greeley and Beecher ! 
Oh ! for a crack at a Yankee school teacher ! 
Oh I for a captain ! and oh ! for a ship ! 
Oh! for a cargo of niggers each trip! 
And so he kept oh-ing for all he had not. 
Not contented with owing for all that he'd got'." 

"a contraband refrain." 

"Now much in vogue at Fortress Monroe." 

"Wake up snakes, pelicans, and Sesh-ners ! 
Don't yer hear 'um comin' — 

Comin' on de run? 
Wake up I tell yer ! Git up Jeflferson ! 
Bobolishion's comin' — 
Bob-o-lish-ion." 

VICTORY. 

The news of the surrender of Vicksburg 
on July 4, 1863, and the Union victory at 
Gettysburg reached Ballston the same day. 
What took place is described in the Journal : 

"Last Tuesday night we had a time of general 
rejoicing in Ballston over the fall of Vicksburg and 
the glorious victory at Gettysburg. The 'old trophy 
gun' of Burgoyne days roared as loud as 'old Tom' 
could make it roar ; fife and drum whistled and 
rattled as if calling out the militia to meet an ad- 
vancing enemy; all the bells rang out their joyful 
peals, illuminations, bon-fires, fire crackers, and 
various other inventions demonstrated the popular 
exultation. Ballston can jubilate when it has a 
mind to, equal to any other place of its size, and it 
had a mind to last Tuesday night." 

The "old Tom" referred to was Thomas 
Mainhood, who had just returned, after two 
years' service in Company B. 

This item appeared in the Journal of No- 
vember 8, 1864: 

"A few days ago the death of James Garrett at 
Hampden Hospital was announced in the Albany 
Argus. In front of one of our stores a group were 
discussing the possibilities of its being the son of 
Anson B. Garrett, when a 'peace Democrat,' sup- 
posing it must be Garrett's son, said : 'Serves him 
right, d — n him. They are all in for this d — d 
abolition war.' Similar expressions in reference to 
our soldiers have been used by prominent 'copper- 



heads' in this village again and again within the 
last two years." 

The soldier alluded to was James S. Gar- 
rett, son of Anson B. Garrett. He was 
severely wounded, but recovered, and is now 
living in Glens Falls. 

An incident of more pleasingf character 
and quite the opposite in spirit, occurred a 
few days later. The ladies of the village 
proposed to send a Thanksgiving dinner to 
Company B. Three boxes stuffed with 
turkeys, chicken, roasted pork, spare-rib, 
mince pies, fried cakes, higdom, catsup, 
doughnuts, apples, cheese, preserved fruits, 
and other delicacies were sent by express to 
the brave boys at the front, the express com- 
pany transporting the dinner free of charge. 
One of the boys writing home, said: 

"Never did a Thanksgiving dinner taste so good. 
How the boys enjoyed it. There was enough and 
to spare. The turkey was fine, and the mince pies. 
— my, but they were good. When we were almost 
too full for utterance, three cheers were proposed 
for the Ballston ladies, and they were given with a 
will and a tiger." 

THE DR.'^FT RIOTS. 

There was a demand for more troops early 
in 1863, and volunteer enlistments at this time 
being made slowly, the government ordered a 
draft in all the loyal States, to raise the re- 
quired number of men. The "copperheads" 
everywhere violently opposed the measure, and 
so stirred up the unruly element in the cities, 
that the terrible draft riots of July, 1863, in 
New York city and elsewhere, resulted. In 
New York the Tribune and Herald offices 
were sacked, and hundreds of people, largely 
among the colored inhabitants, were killed by 
the savage mob. In Troy there was serious 
rioting, and the office of the Troy Times was 
gutted. In its issue of July 21, the Journal 
said: 

"The last week was one of unusual excitement 
in our ordinarily quiet village. Groups of men, 
conversing in low tones, might be seen at almost 
every corner, and in some instances there were ut- 
terances too disgraceful to be repeated. In other in- 
stances threats were made which might well shame 
a highwayman or a pirate. Nobody was scared ex- 
cept a few women and children. In our humble 
opinion, the vaunted right of free speech was 
abused in a most outrageous manner, and we hope 
never again to hear of such malignant expressions 
as were let loose upon an errand of mischief in this 



152 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



community. If harmless by reason of their source, 
they would become unpleasant by repetition. This 
is not the time for intemperate and inconsiderate 
language, when the public mind is fevered over the 
most fiendish and barbarous riot that has ever dis- 
graced our country." 

In emulation of the dastardly deeds com- 
mitted in New York, several Ballston toughs 
one morning attacked three Ballston negroes 
on Bath street, in front of the engine house. 
Frank Anthony, Gus Nelson and Frank Jack- 
son were more than a match for the white 
ruffians, who, finding themselves worsted in 
the encounter, began to throw stones, and one 
of them drew a knife. At this juncture David 
Maxwell, a justice of the peace, and David 
R. Harlow and "Elder" Dye, constables, ap- 
peared on the scene. Harlow and Maxwell 
were powerful men, and each seized two of 
the miscreants, and shaking them much as a 
dog would shake a rat, started for the office 
of the justice, over the store of S. Gould, Jr. 
Dye followed with another prisoner. Up the 
stairs Maxwell and Harlow dragged their 
men, in no gentle manner, and the crowd fol- 
lowed. Our duty as a faithful chronicler of 
events compelled us to mingle in the crowd. 
Justice Maxwell commenced to write, when a 
prominent citizen spoke: "Squire," he said, 
"I'll go bail for these men !" "What's that !" 
thundered Maxwell, "bail did you say. These 
scoundrels are going to jail, and anyone who 
offers bail will go to jail with them. We'll 
have no draft rioting in this town." Nothing 
further was said about bail, and five miser- 
able rowdies had ten days "on the hill" to 
reflect on the speedy justice meted out in 
Squire Maxwell's Court. The other mis- 
creants escaped. 

Copperheadism vented itself in loud de- 
nunciations against carrying into effect the 
draft law, and high words drew the line 
sharply between the "war Democrats" and 
the "peace Democrats." From that time on 
there raged in Ballston Spa a heavy battle of 
words. The Journal had made itself par- 
ticularly obnoxious by its unsparing con- 
demnation of Kukluxism and treason, and its 
office was marked for destruction by the Troy 
Kluklux Klan, an oath-bound organization 
whose existence had been kept secret until 
the destruction by them of the office of the 
Troy Times. The captain had a map of the 



village, and the residences of Republicans 
were marked for burning or destruction in 
some form. Their villainous plans became 
known, and Captain Horton at once organ- 
ized a company of furloughed and returned 
soldiers, together with the Home Guard. 
They were armed, and ready to defend any 
point that might be attacked. On a certain 
afternoon early in September the Troy band 
of ruffians started for Ballston. A little 
after eight o'clock in the evening the rioters 
came into the village and gathered at the cor- 
ner of Front and Bath streets. They began 
to make loud threats against the Black Re- 
publicans, and the leader of the marauders 
shouted, "To the Journal office first." Mr. 
Grose, editor of the Journal, who was present, 
shouted back, "You miserable cowards and 
villains, go right on ; you will find the doors 
of the Journal office open; you can go in, but 
how many will be able to come out alive I 
can't tell." Some of them said "he must have 
an infernal machine up there." He said, 
"You may get out quicker than you get in. 
I warn you to get out of town quietly before 
ten o'clock." Captain Horton's company then 
drew up, the drums rattled, pistols were fired, 
and the rioters took to their heels. The 
soldiers patrolled the streets, and before ten 
o'clock perfect quiet reigned. This occurrence 
gave warning of what might happen. There- 
after, incendiary speeches were rarely heard, 
and no further disturbance took place. 

LAST DAYS OF THE WAR. 

Of the scenes witnessed in Ballston Spa 
during the closing days of the war in 1865 ; 
of the supreme joy everywhere manifested 
over the fall of Richmond ; a joy which a 
week later was suddenly changed into the 
deepest gloom and sorrow, we can give no 
better account than to again copy from the 
Ballston Journal, to whose faithful chroni- 
cling of events we are so greatly indebted for 
the local history of the great "war between 
the states." In its editorial columns of April 
8, the Journal said: 

"Victory I Glory ! At length the supreme day and 
hour of triumph have come ! The long suspense 
and agony are ended, and joy unbounded thrills the 
great heart of the nation. With the fall of Rich- 
mond the war is virtually ended * » * * Praise 
the Lord, and let all the people say Amen !" 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



153 



In the local columns of the same issue ap- 
peared the following: 

"For a few days the country has been wild with 
joy over the downfall of Richmond. Flags flying, 
bells pealing, cannon roaring, torch-lights flaring, 
bon-fires blazing, illuminations gleaming, and every 
other possible method of demonstrating the furor, 
have ruled the glad hour of triumph. Staid old 
Ballston was alive with enthusiasm, and if the 
bounds of propriety were somewhat exceeded, it 
was deemed excusable in a time of universal ex- 
travagances. We couldn't hold in, and when we 
can't, we don't expect anybody else will. There 
was a splendid exhibition of fireworks, a glowing 
address by Rev. Mr. Holman, and patriotic songs 
were sung by the young ladies of the Sans Souci 
Seminary, closing a celebration that does honor to 
the town. 

"Ring royal bells — ring out great chimes ! 

Thrill with your joy the glowing air! 
Make jubilant this blissful time — 

This hour of hours — this moment rare ! 
Ring royal bells I peal wide your notes. 
O'er Richmond's towers 'Old Glory' floats!" 

A week later, while the note of joy over the 
victory won was still sounding on the air, 
the fearful word was flashed over the wires 
from Washington, that the great "War Pres- 
ident" had fallen by the hand of an assassin. 
We quote again from the Journal : 

"Lincoln Dead. — The announcement of his mur- 
der plunges the loyal part of this nation into the 
profoundest sorrow. In the crowning hour of re- 
joicing came the fatal deed that damns the assassin 
and his instigators to everlasting infamy. In a 
moment a nation's joy was turned into sorrow, 
and the appalling transition was so unexpected that 
it fell with crushing weight. No note of warn- 
ing foreshadowed the coming horror, and the land 
is enshrouded in the gloom of midnight while yet 
the sun is at the zenith." 

There was one traitor in the village who 
rejoiced over the awful deed. An item in the 
Journal reads: 

"Ballston will henceforth be noted for the great- 
est stretch of magnanimity on record. On the fatal 
Saturday of our Nation's woe, a creature in male 
attire said he was glad Lincoln was dead ; he ought 
to have been killed four years ago. He was not 
arrested, knocked down, nor dragged out. Great 
is magnanimity." 

The funeral obsequies of President Lincoln 
took place in Washington on Wednesday, 
April 19. The Journal said of the mournful 
occasion: "It was a solemn day in Ballston. 
The emblems of grief greeted the eye in every 
street; the stores and public places were 
closed, and services appropriate to the day 



were attended at Christ Church and at the 
Methodist Church, commencing at twelve 
o'clock. 

"There are little knots on the corners to-day, 
And with bated breath they utter, 
Not alone a dirge o'er the inanimate clay. 
But avenging whispers mutter. 

We are tasting to-day of the bitter cup. 
Oh, lesson, we heed thy warning; 

We know but One who can lift us up — 
'Tis night — it will yet be morning." 



WAR WITH SPAIN. 

War against Spain, for the liberation of 
oppressed Cuba, was declared in April, 1898, 
and on the 23rd of that month President Mc- 
Kinley issued a call for 125,000 volunteers. 
These troops were immediately recruited from 
the ranks of the National Guard of the various 
States of the Union. 

Again Ballston Spa answered the country's 
call, and the following were enrolled among 
the volunteers: 

William P. Kinns, Charles T. Lockhart, 
Charles Reid, Thomas W. McNamara, James 
E. McGarr, William J. Neef, Frederick King, 
Charles C. Cook, Charles Crippen, Harry B. 
Ford, Charles H. Williams, Harry Snyder, 
Paul M. Pelletreau, William H. Newkom, 
Gerritt V. S. Ouackenbush, Capt. Guy E. 
Baker, and Capt. William H. McKittrick. 

Capt. McKittrick was commissioned a Cap- 
tain of Volunteers, and attached to the per- 
sonal staff of Gen. Shafter, his father-in-law, 
in command of the United States forces in 
Cuba. He took part in the battle of San 
Juan, and also in the engagements around 
Santiago, and on the surrender of that city 
was detailed by Gen. Shafter to hoist the 
American flag over the government building 
in that city. And to a Ballston boy fell the 
distinguished honor of raising "Old Glory" 
for the first time on Cuban soil, in token of 
victory for the American army. Captain 
McKittrick was born in Ballston Spa, the 
son of William H. McKittrick, who served in 
the Mexican war, and also in the civil war as 
captain of Co. C, 115th New York volunteers, 
and was killed in battle in front of Richmond. 

Naval Cadet Powell, one of the little band 
of heroes, who, under Lieutenant Richard P. 



154 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Hobson, sank the collier Merrimac in the en- 
trance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, in 
an effort to imprison Admiral Cervera's fleet, 
is a grandson of the late ex-Sheriff George 
B. Powell, and a great grand-son of Elisha 
Powell, one of the early settlers of Milton. 

July 4th a celebration was held on the Fair 
Ground in this village, for the purpose of 
raising a fund to provide comforts for the 
Pjallston soldiers in the camp at Fernandina, 
Fla. The late Rev. Charles Pelletreau, Rec- 
tor of Christ Church, was in charge of the 
festivities. Thousands were present, and 
$1,200 was realized from the celebration. 

The larger number of the Ballston volun- 
teers were attached to the Saratoga Citizens 
Corps, which was designated as Company L 
of the Second Regiment. The Company on 
May 2, 1898, left Saratoga, and with the 
Regiment proceeded to Camp Black, on Long 
Island, where they were mustered into ser\^ice 
for two years, unless sooner discharged. 

May 18 the Regiment left Camp Black and 
arrived at Chattanooga, Tenn., on the night 
of May 20. Early next morning they made 
their new camp on the famous battle-field of 
Chickamauga, where one of the greatest bat- 
tles of the civil war was fought. 

On the first day of June the Second Regi- 
ment broke camp, and led the way to Tampa, 
Florida, where the Regiment encamped until 
July 26, when orders were received to pro- 
ceed to the large and more healthful camp at 
Fernandina. 

From day to day orders to sail for Cuba 
or Porto Rico were hourlv expected, but the 
early suspension of hostilities, and the con- 
clusion of peace with Spain, rendered this un- 
necessary. Company L was mustered out 
October 27, and the Ballston boys returned 
home. 



REMINISCENCES. 

A LIBERTY POLE. 

Two weeks after the firing on Fort Sum- 
ter in April, 1861, a liberty pole one hundred 
and thirty feet in height was raised on High 
street, in front of the Armory. The first sec- 
tion, up to a decking, was sixty feet, the sec- 
ond section forty, and spliced to this was the 
topmost section of thirty feet. Through some 



oversight, the large gilt ball at the top was 
not settled to its place, but left about two feet 
of the iron rod to which it was attached visi- 
ble from the street. Lee Whalen volunteered 
to climb the pole and drive the ball into place. 
Whalen had spent some years at sea, and 
quickly climbed to the deck, the pole having 
spikes up to this point. From the deck to the 
top was a sheer climb of seventy feet, but 
Whalen seemed to mount more rapidly than 
ever. He was anxiously watched by the as- 
sembled thousands, as the pole swayed vio- 
lently. Reaching the top, Whalen unslung 
the large wooden maul from his belt, and 
quickly drove the ball into its proper position. 
He then slid rapidly down the pole, amid 
the cheers of the multitude. Within a few 
days, while a strong wind was blowing, some 
miscreant cut one of the guy ropes, and the 
upper seventy feet of the pole was blown 
into the vacant lot where the residence of 
Mr. Theodore Haight now stands, and "Old 
Glory" lay trailing in the mud. Suspicion 
pointed to a resident of the village, and it 
required a vigorous effort on the part of James 
W. Horton and some others, to prevent a 
coat of tar and feathers being applied to the 
suspected party. The pole was replaced in 
a few days, and stood until the close of the 
war. 

TRUE PATRIOTISM. 

A determined effort was being made to 
fill the quota of volunteers required from the 
town of Milton, and on Sunday evening Sep- 
tember 7, 1862. a mass meeting was held at 
the recruiting tent on Low street. A plat- 
form had been erected for the speakers, and 
after several had spoken, Rev. William O. 
Holman came over from the Baptist Church 
near by, at the close of his service, and mount- 
ing the rostrum, made an eloquent and in- 
tensely patriotic appeal to the assembled 
multitude. In the crowd on the street was 
Mr. Eli Settle, the proprietor of the Blue 
Mill. Too far advanced in years to enlist 
himself, he was urging a young man to en- 
roll his name. Said the young man : "I 
would like to go, but I have nothing to leave 
my family." Taking a roll of bills from his 
pocket, Mr. Settle replied : "Here are fifty 
dollars to give your wife, and I will see that 
she wants for nothing while you are gone." 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



155 



The young man promptly enlisted. To an- 
other Mr. Settle repeated the offer, and an- 
other name was enrolled. To a third young 
man Mr. Settle said: "I have but ten dollars 
left, but if you will enlist, you can have that, 
and here is my watch for security until I can 
get to the Bank in the morning, when you 
shall have the other forty." To this the young 
fellow replied : "I don't want your watch, 
Mr. Settle, your word is good enough for 
nie." And down went his name, and the 
quota was filled. 

Mr. Settle was not the only man in Balls- 
ton to give practical evidence of this char- 
acter, of the intense patriotism which ani- 
mated them. James M. Cook, then about 
fifty-five years of age, not able to go to the 
front, under this call for volunteers gave 
$500 to the enlistment committee to be used 
in the same manner, and with a pledge that 
he would provide for the families of the vol- 
unteers; and Hon. Isaiah Blood duplicated 
the act of Mr. Cook. Doubtless there were 
other instances of like character. Those 
mentioned came under the personal notice of 
the writer. 

WANTED TO GO WITH HIS BOYS. 

Alexander Morrison, Wallace Morrison, 
Edward Morrison, and Ira B. Morrison, 
brothers, enlisted and went to the front. The 
father, Ira Morrison, Sr., upwards of fifty 
years of age, wanted to share the glory with 
his boys, and one day walked to Schenectady, 
fifteen miles, and asked to be enrolled as a 
volunteer. The recruiting officer inquired as 
to his age, and asked Morrison if he had any 
sons in the army. When the old man replied 
that he had five boys down in Virginia, the 
officer with some emotion, said kindly : "I 
think you have done your share. I can't en- 
list you at your age." Greatly disappointed, 
Mr. Morrison returned to his home in this 
village. 

A soldier's welcome. 

When the news came that brave "Steve" 
Horton had been wounded in battle, and 
would be sent home on furlough, a crowd 
gathered at the railroad station to greet him 
on his arrival. As the train rolled into town 
the "old trophy gim" boomed out a welcome. 
A carriage was awaiting just south of the 
track on Bath street, from which the horses 



had been unhitched, and a long rope attached. 
With continued cheers for the returned hero, 
fifty or more men and boys drew him to. his 
home on High street. 

A soldier's burial. 

The first burial of a soldier in the village 
cemetery will never be forgotten. His name 
is gone from our memory, but the scene re- 
mains. It was at the close of the day when 
the body reached the cemetery, accompanied 
by a military escort detailed from Albany for 
the sad duty. In presence of a numerous 
company the funeral service was read, and 
just as the sun was disappearing in the west- 
ern sky, a volley from the muskets of the 
funeral squad flashed over the grave, taps 
sounded, and the soldier was left to peace- 
fully slumber until the "reveille" of the last 
great day shall sound. 

P.\TRI0TIC WOMEN. 

The army hospitals were constantly in need 
of bandages and lint, and many were the 
times that the patriotic women of the village, 
young and old, gathered in the great parlor 
of the Sans Souci and spent the day picking 
lint and rolling bandages, which were for- 
warded to the army through the department 
at Albany. From one of these gatherings 
the ladies sent to the army hospitals three 
large boxes containing 400 bandages, 500 
compresses, pillows, sheets, soap, towels, 
slippers, handkerchiefs, pins, nine large boxes 
of fine lint, grape wine, currant wine, port 
wine, old Maderia wine, Otard brandy, pre- 
served fruits, jellies, and other delicacies. 

HE GOT mad. 

John Harlow came home one day, and the 
stalwart giant, for such he was in very truth, 
carried an empty sleeve, and was so emaciated 
that his friends did not at first sight recognize 
him. Seated on a barrel in the store of 
Samuel Gould, where he was employed as 
clerk at the time he enlisted, he told us this 
story: "I was wounded at the battle of Mal- 
vern Hill. A minie ball entered my arm at 
the elbow and came out at the shoulder, shat- 
tering the bone into small pieces, and terribly 
lacerating my arm. While lying on the field 
unconscious, I was overlooked by the am- 
bulance corps. I lay on the field for four 
days with nothing but hard tack to eat and the 



156 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OP BALLSTON SPA 



water in my canteen to drink. When I re- 
alized that I had been deserted, I got so mad 
that I made up my mind I would not lie there 
and die. I got to my feet, I hardly know how, 
and supporting my mangled arm with my 
right hand, I marched twelve miles to the 
Union camp. On arriving I fell unconscious, 
and knew nothing until I woke up in the hos- 
pital, with my left arm taken off at the 
shoulder." Mr. Harlow from this time until 
the close of the war, had charge of the re- 
cruiting tent on Low street, just west of where 
the soldiers' monument now stands. About 
fifteen years ago he was appointed one of the 
Treasury watch at Washington, and for some 
ten years was chief of the watch. He died 
in Washington about four years ago. 

BEAUREGARD WHIPPED. 

Reference is made in the centennial ode 
to one "Beauregard," which recalls another 
incident. Captain Horton was seated on the 
piazza of the Village Hotel, with his crutches 
by his side, nearly recovered from a severe 
wound in the thigh. "Beauregard," thus 
named for his sympathy with the South, pass- 
ing by and seeing young Horton, remarked : 
"I would like to see Arnold Harris, Doctor 
Moore, Jim Cook and Jim Horton strung up, 
and would like to have hold of the rope." 
Hardly were the words out of his mouth be- 
fore "Steve" reached him, hopping on one 
crutch. A powerful blow laid Osgood, which 
was "Beauregard's" proper name, sprawling 
in the gutter, Horton saying, "I can thrash 
any man, even on crutches, who makes such 
a villainous remark." We boys, several in 
number stood by, ready to join in the un- 
equal fray, but Osgood crawled to his feet 
and ran rapidly down Spring street and dis- 
appeared. 

A DANDY LIEUTEN.\NT. 

Charlie Massey was about sixteen when he 
enlisted. Of a happy temperament, a good 
singer, and a jolly good fellow generally, he 
was the life of the camp. One or two in- 
stances of camp life told by "Charlie," are too 
good to be lost. In the regiment was a natty 
young lieutenant, very much of a martinet, 
and thoroughly disliked by the men. Charlie 
was on picket duty one cold night, and by 
mutual agreement with a "Johnnie" just be- 
yond, lighted a fire to keep warm. This was 



against orders, and the lieutenant discovered 
Charlie seated by his fire, and placed him un- 
der arrest. Some time later Massey was 
again on picket duty on a rather dark night, 
and on the watch for the lieutenant. He had 
stationed himself in the road at the edge of a 
large and deep mud puddle, through which 
the officer must ride to reach the picket post. 
The lieutenant approached, and Massey halted 
him in the centre of the puddle with "Who 
goes there?" The answer came promptly: 
"Lieutenant \" "Dismount, ad- 
vance, and give the countersign," commanded 
Massey. The lieutenant protested stoutly, 
but the ominous clicking of the lock of 
Charlie's gun caused him to hurriedly dis- 
mount, and wading through the slimy mud, 
which reached above his top boots, he meekly 
gave the required countersign. Charley was 
arrested next day, but on hearing the stories 
of the officer and the soldier, the Colonel com- 
plimented Massey on the proper discharge 
of his duty, much to the chagrin of the lieu- 
tenant. 

"there's A TIME TO L.WGHj AND " 

One day in camp Charlie saw a private of 
his company, with a heavy log on his shoulder, 
marching round and round in a circle, while 
an officer stood near by. It was the first time 
Massey had seen this punishment inflicted. 
He watched the proceeding a moment, and 
then burst out in hearty laughter. The offi- 
cer said to him, "What are you laughing at?" 
Charlie, convulsed with laughter, could only 
point to the weary plodder. "You think it's 
funny, do you," said the officer, "suppose you 
try it for a while." The log was shifted to 
Charlie's shoulder, and well sobered by this 
time, he began his tiresome march, while his 
comrade sat by and enjoyed his discomfiture. 
Massey said it was tough, but it taught him 
a very salutary lesson. 

IN andersgnville. 

The horrors of Andersonville prison were 
experienced for several months by seven 
Ballston boys ; Alexander Morrison, Joe Cro- 
mack, Martin Lee, "Yankee" Inman, Andrew 
Brewer, Ira Tripp, and Edward Morrison. 
Ed. Morrison did not discover that his 
brother Alexander, and "Matt" Lee were in 
the prison for several weeks. They were 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



157 



transferred to Florence, South Carolina, where 
the conditions were even worse than at An- 
dersonville. Alexander Morrison tells the 
following incident which took place during 
the presidential election in 1864: The rebels 
in charge of the prison were anxious for Mc- 
Clellan's election over Lincoln, and to test 
the sentiment of the Union soldiers, and thus 
form some estimate as to the result, they had 
the soldiers vote, using black and white beans, 
the black counting for Lincoln, and the white 
for McClellan. The rebels let it be known 
that if the majority was for McClellan an 
extra day's rations would be given to the sol- 
diers. The evident desire on the part of the 
rebels to see McClellan win, aroused an in- 
tense feeling and hundreds who said they had 
always voted the Democratic ticket marched 
up and deposited in the bag a black bean for 
Lincoln. McClellan was defeated three to 
one, much to the chagrin of the rebels. 

A FIGHTING CHAPLAIN. 

Rev. p. Franklin Jones, for two years pas- 
tor of the Baptist Church, just after the war, 
was a chaplain in the army. He was living 
in West Troy at the time he entered the 
service. His regiment reported to General 
Wool at Fortress Monroe. The home of the 
General was in Troy, and Chaplain Jones and 
he were warm friends. Calling to pay his 
respects to his friend and superior officer, the 
Chaplain was greeted thus : "Chaplain, what 
are you doing with that sword and those pis- 
tols?" for Jones was fully armed and equipped 
with sword and two large Colt's revolvers, 
which had been presented to him. Without 
giving opportunity for reply, the General con- 
tinued, with a suspicious twinkle in his eyes, 
"I understand you preachers are down here 
to look after the spiritual welfare of the army, 
and to preach peace. How is it that I see 
you fully armed for the fight?" Chaplain 
Jones answered spiritedly: "I am not here 
to preach peace, but to assert that this is a 
righteous war, and that it is every man's duty 
to make sure that these rebels are soundly 
whipped, and I propose to do my share of the 
business. No skulking in the rear with the 
ambulances for me. Where the thickest of 
the fight is, there you'll always find me." The 
white haired old veteran laughed heartily at 
the sharp retort, and slapping Chaplain 



Jones smartly on the shoulder, said : "I knew 
it, Jones, you couldn't do otherwise if you 
would." And after the first battle in which 
Chaplain Jones took part, the boys named 
him "the fighting chaplain." 

Many people in Ballston used to wonder 
why Pastor Jones wore his hair hanging down 
almost to his shoulders, and in such a tum- 
bled fashion. With General Hooker, in the 
mountains of West Virginia, ' on a winter's 
day, wearied with hard marching, and with 
a cold rain falling, they halted for the night, 
and Chaplain Jones, with hundreds of others, 
dropped on the damp ground and was instantly 
sound asleep. His head, from which his hat 
had fallen, was pressed against a fallen tree, 
and when he awoke his hair and scalp were 
frozen to the log. It was with difficulty he 
was released, and ever after his scalp was so 
sensitive that it was positive torture to touch 
his hair. 

A NOBLE WAR HORSE. 

Acting as aide on his General's staff during 
a sharp engagement. Chaplain Jones was sent 
to ascertain what some Union troops were 
doing so far in advance on their right. Rid- 
ing on his mission up a rise of ground toward 4 
the woods in which the troops were to be 
seen, he discovered when close upon them 
that they were rebels. He was ordered to 
surrender, but wheeled his horse and dashed 
down the hill with bullets flying thick around 
him. At the foot of the hill was a wide ditch 
which his gallant steed bravely leaped, but 
the opposite bank gave way, and sliding back- 
ward the Chaplain fell into the ditch, and was 
safe for the moment. His faithful horse did 
not desert him. Scrambling to his feet on 
the farther side of the ditch, the noble animal 
faced the enemy, and fairly snorted out his 
defiance. Chaplain Jones, amid a storm of 
bullets, sprang from the ditch, leaped to his 
saddle, and was soon beyond the reach of the 
rebel fire. He reported to his General, the 
flanking rebel troops were soon dislodged 
from their position, and their army in full re- 
treat. The "fighting chaplain" was especially 
commended for bravery in action, in the offi- 
cial report of the engagement. The chaplain's 
sword belt was nearly severed by a bullet, 
one spur was shot away, and his hat showed 
two bullet holes, but his person did not 



158 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



receive a scratch. His horse was wounded in 
the shoulder, and had one ear shot through. 

A VILLAGE IN MOURNING. 

When the fateful news of the assassination 
of President Lincoln reached Ballston Spa, a 
deep gloom spread over the entire community. 
Faces paled as the great calamity which had 
befallen the nation came to be realized. Bus- 
iness was 'suspended, and groups of men 
gathered here and there in the streets of the 
village, with grief-stricken faces, wondering 
what further disaster was to fall. And then 
the emblems of mourning began to appear. 
The flags were drooping at half-mast, and at 
mid-day a black pall seemed to have fallen 
on the village. The public buildings, the 
churches, the stores and private residences 
were heavily draped in black, until not a yard 
of black cloth could be found in town that 
was not in use as a symbol of mourning over 
the irreparable loss the country had sustained. 
Not before or since has such a scene been 
witnessed. It was in striking contrast to the 
brilliant garb the village wore at the recent 
Centennial. The dark picture will linger in 
the memory as long as life shall last. 

The war record of Ballston Spa and this 
immediate locality is a record of lofty patriot- 
ism, heroic achievement, and intense love of 
country. This chapter of local history can 
have no more fitting conclusion than an ac- 
count of the dedication of the Soldiers' Mon- 
ument fn June, if 



The dedication exercises were held at two 
o'clock, and opened with the singing of Kel- 
ler's American Hymn by the Ballston Musical 
Association ; thirty-seven little girls, attired in 
national colors sang the "Star Spangled Ban- 



BALLSTON'S MONUMENT DAY. 

The soldiers' monument was dedicated 
June i6, 1888. Great preparations had been 
made for the event, and thousands were pres- 
ent throughout the day. Public buildings, 
stores, and residences throughout the village 
were gaily decorated. 

The grand parade, one of the largest ever 
witnessed in Ballston Spa, was led by Bor- 
ing's Band, of Troy, and the Saratoga Citi- 
zens' Corps. There were four other Bands 
in line, and two drum corps of eighteen men 
each. The Troy Citizens' Corps, with one 
hundred men ; thirteen Grand Army Posts ; 
six fire companies ; several societies, and a 
long line of carriages were in the procession. 




Soldiers' Monument. 

ner," followed by the introductory address of 
Hon. William J. Parkinson, and the oration by 
General Daniel Butterfield. The dedication 
poem by Fred Emerson Brooks, of San Fran- 
cisco, was read by Mr. John Person. 

THE DEDICATION. 

Hon. William J. Parkinson was chairman 
of the dedication exercises in the afternoon. 
He made an eloquent address, saying, in part : 

"Comrades and Fellow Citizens: Twenty-seven 
years ago a young man, then a clerk in one of the 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



159 



stores of this village, enlisted as a soldier in the 
army of the Union. Twenty-six years ago Wil- 
liam B. Horton — son of the man who for forty 
years was Clerk of this county, and whose memory 
is now cherished by all the people, James W. Hor- 
ton — wrote to that honored father that the young 
clerk, by the time the letter he (Horton) was then 
writing, would probably be no more, as he had just 
visited his bedside in one of our hospitals, and he 
was then supposed to be dying. Comrade Horton 
received what proved to be his death wound at 
Malvern Hill, and for years, as on last Decoration 
Day, his was among the honored graves lovingly 
decorated by the tender hands of you, his comrades 
in arms. Through a kind Providence the clerk- 
soldier did not die, but now has the pleasure of 
standing before you in the person of your speaker. 
Such incidents as these culled from the personal 
experience of myself, as well as that of others, is 
what makes the present hour and these services of 
special interest to not only me but to others, who, 
as soldiers, are now assembled in this place to 
honor the occasion and themselves by their presence 
here. * * * The purpose of erecting some suit- 
able memorial to the brave men from this section 
who participated in the late war has been in the 
minds of the soldiers in our midst ever since their 
return from the seat of war, and several attempts 
to this end have been made, but always without suc- 
cess until about two years ago, when it was re- 
solved by the veterans of McKittrick Post, of this 
village, to bring the matter more prominently be- 
fore the public and push it to completion. * * * 
The monument is here ; and as we look upon it all 
may see that it is indeed a 'thing of beauty,' as we 
hope it may be a source of patriotic joy forever,' 
to the generations yet to come." 

THE ORATOR. 

In introducing General Butterfield, Mr. 
Parkinson paid a glowing tribute to the dis- 
tinguished soldier. He said : 

"And now. gentlemen and comrades, I come to 
what is to me one of the chief pleasures of this oc- 
casion. Arriving at Hall's Hill, Virginia, in the 
fall of '6i, with my regiment, the 44th New York 
'Ellsworth Avengers,' we were at once brigaded 
under the command of the gentleman who is the 
orator of this eventful day, and now with us. For 
a time I don't think I ever hated a man more in 
my life than I did this distinguished gentleman; he 
drilled us so unmercifully, as we then thought. It 
was double quick from morning until night, and 
sometimes at midnight, to see how well we could 
do it. If all the balls which the boys vowed would 
go through him in our first engagement had done 
so, he would have been riddled worse than any 
coal sieve you ever saw, and I don't think he would 
be here to-day. But he never was afraid of balls. 
And when we realized his worthy purpose in thus 
drilling or disciplining his men, which we did not 
fully until the enemy had been met, and upon the 
field beheld, amid those exciting scenes, that his 



usually stern countenance was wreathed in smiles, 
as dashing up and down the line amid the leaden 
hail, with waving sword, he would cry, 'Come on 
boys ; give them a Roland for their Oliver !' then, 
amid the red hot shot of the gory field, we became 
acquainted with our leader, and strong hatred was 
turned to stronger love, and from that hour to this 
the life scarce of a single member of that regiment 
would not be so dear but its owner would gladly 
yield it for the honor of the man so loved by his 
men of the blue. General Daniel Butterfield. But 
of his worth to the nation in that struggle let 'fight- 
ing Joe Hooker' reply, for he who honors us this 
day as our speaker was the man at the helm as 
chief of staff, when Hooker's loyal legions climbed 
the rugged steeps of Lookout Mountain, and there 
fought the 'battle amid the clouds,' driving Bragg 
and his forces in confusion from their seemingly 
impregnable position on the crest of that famous 
mountain top. Leaving New York as Colonel of the 
I2th Regiment, New York Volunteers, he was soon 
advanced to the command of a brigade, then a di- 
vision, then a corps, and at last stood chief of staff 
of the Army of the Potomac, having in that event- 
ful struggle for the nation's life, participated in 
twenty-eight general engagements, was wounded 
twice, and in that great and decisive battle of the 
war, Gettysburg, stood as counsel and guide to Gen- 
eral Meade, there commanding our forces, thus 
crowning his record as a soldier with a halo of 
patriotic glory that makes his name inunortal. This 
distinguished soldier, courteous gentleman, and loyal 
citizen. General Daniel Butterfield of New York, 
I now have the pleasure of introducing to you." 

General Butterfield's oration was a masterly 

effort. We copy that portion of his address 
in which he referred to this locality. The 
General said: 

THE ORATION. 

"In rude or classic form, monuments or statues 
have marked spots of historic interest for uncounted 
ages, the world over; and in our own country, mon- 
uments and statues perpetuate the memory of our 
illustrious dead, arising as well to adorn public parks 
and squares, as to show the gratitude of a patriotic 
people." 

Allusion was then made to many of the monu- 
ments of antiquity, and of later times. Continuing, 
the speaker said : "Let us come to our own, and 
the purpose for which we are here assembled. Ap- 
proached with thought, surrounded by memories and 
reflections, its purpose reaches far beyond words. 
Nothing we may say can add to its value to pos- 
terity. Eloquence, rhetoric and recital may, like 
the labor of the skilled workman, which gives polish 
to the diamond, show more clearly its value and 
its heauty. The worth is in the gem itself. The 
deeds, the efforts, the patriotism commemorated by 
the monument we dedicate to-day, with all its halo 
and entourage of bravery, unselfishness, love of 
country, and true honor, is the pure gem to which 



160 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



we may try to add by word and thought, whatever 
best we can, to enhance its lustre and increase its 
clearness, brilliancy, and exemplary and historic 
worth. • ♦ * * Broken arches and ruined ram- 
parts are always eloquent and suggestive of valiant 
deeds, even where their special teachings are not 
comprehended ; but manifold greater are the im- 
pressions which they make when the patriotism we 
adore has hallowed them. Recalling the speech of 
Napoleon in front of the pyramids, may we not 
point to this proud list of heroes, whose names 
our monument bears, and say to the sons and 
daughters of Milton, of Ballston, and of Malta', 
read there the glory of your homes, the honor of 
your fathers, for what they fought, for what they 
suffered, for what they died, the heritage is yours. 
From their crown of glory they look down to you, 
their descendants, proud of your remembrance and 
your gratitude, confident of your devotion, your 
fidelity, your loyalty and honor. By this token you 
have shown it. 

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 

"There stands your record — Major Fuller — Captain 
Evans — Captain Benedict — Captain Palmer, with 
their gallant comrades, twenty in all, your quota of 
the heroes who fought with stubborn will, and en- 
countered disasters, privations, hunger and thirst, 
weariness of body and soul, but reaped the glories 
of the Revolution, which founded our Republic. In 
their grand fight for the independence of the na- 
tion, their valor and courage wrested the Colonies 
from the British throne. We need not tell the story 
of the battles of the Revolution. The memories of 
Bunker Hill, Trenton, Valley Forge, Lexington, 
Yorktown, Monmouth, of Bemis Heights and Sar- 
atoga, (the Marathon of America,) one of the fif- 
teen decisive battles of the world, crowd upon us. 
The air is filled with them. 

1812. 

"On the 20th of June, 1812, the youngest nation 
of the world, to protect the Independence won by 
the heroes of the Revolution, threw down the 
gauntlet boldly and with self-reliance against one 
of the proudest, richest and most powerful of na- 
tions, England, which had insolently continued to 
search our ships and did not respect our maritime 
rights. 

"Again this community responds — Major Good- 
rich, Captains Westcot and Beach, with their com- 
rades thirty-eight in all, that are known and re- 
corded. Of these and among them were many who 
were descended from heroes of the same family who 
served in the war of the Revolution. We shall 
speak of them again. 

MEXICO. 

"A neighboring State proclaims its independence 
and desires to join the Union, and we become in- 
volved in another war. — the Mexican war. Right 
proudly and promptly do your towns respond. The 
army is small — few are needed — ^but bravely they 



come. The heroes of Ballston, Milton and Malta 
march forth among the brave men that bore the 
stars and stripes in triumph from the Rio Grande 
across the pampas, cactus and sand plains to the 
City of Mexico and the heights of Chapultepec. 
They wrote the battles of Buena Vista, Palo Alto, 
Cerro Gordo, Vera Cruz, Churubusco and the City 
of Mexico upon the escutcheon of the Nation's 
honor, and added to our national wealth and 
strength not only the empire of Texas as a State, 
but the golden gate of San Francisco and the beau- 
tiful territories of the Pacific coast. 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

"And now we come to the brave men who went 
forth to endure the hardships of battle between the 
opposing forces which had been in conflict from the 
birth of the Nation — the conflict between Freedom 
and Slavery— ^the attempt to destroy the Nation and 
thereby perpetuate and extend this accursed crime. 
What brave acts and heroic deeds, patient endur- 
ance, steadfast patriotism, matchless courage and 
glorious deaths of those of whom we now come to 
speak. From the workshop, from the field, from 
the store, from the college, from the cloister, from 
the farm, and from every walk of life, came forth 
willing, loyal hosts, bent upon preserving the in- 
tegrity of the Union and saving it from destruction. 

"Let us recount for the student in after years the 
story that he will find written all over this land : 
that the brave descendants of the heroes of Sara- 
toga and Monmouth rather chose to die than that 
the victories of the Revolution should be lost, and 
the Government and Nation that they made and up- 
held by force of arms, should be torn asunder by 
Slavery's treason. 

"The 77th New York Regiment, with its fifty-three 
skirmishes, engagements and battles ; two hundred 
and seventy-three killed, wounded and missing, has 
with its record part of yours. 

"The iisth New York, with its thirty-one skir- 
mishes, engagements and battles, and three hun- 
dred killed, wounded and missing, has with its re- 
cord also a part of yours. In these two commands 
seventy died in the enemy's hands. 

"The 4th and 13th Artillery also have part of 
your records, with their aggregate of thirty odd en- 
gagements and battles, and in the two regiments 
six hundred casualties. 

"Were I to attempt to recite the bravery and 
gallant deeds of every one of these, the setting of 
the sun would come before justice and a fair re- 
sume was completed. ****** 

"During the war of the Revolution Stephen Ful- 
ler was one of you, and his descendant, George Ful- 
ler, of the 77th New York, proved himself worthy 
of the renown of his ancestors in the Revolution. 

"John Whitehead, another Revolutionary hero, 
was the father of Oliver Whitehead, who went forth 
to the Mexican war. 

"The children of Sanbun Ford, a Revolutionary 
hero, are found in the war of 1812. Again the pa- 
triotic blood breaks out in their descendant, John 
B. Ford, of the 4th Heavy Artillery. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



161 



"The brave Salisburys who served in the war of 
the Revolution, transmitted their patriotic blood to 
Horace T. Salisbury, who served in the 13th New 
York Heavy Artillery in our last war. 

"William J. Jennings, of the 115th New York, 
and Thomas Jennings of the Second Cavalry, re- 
newed the patriotic blood of their ancestor, Jesse 
Jennings, a hero of the Revolution. 

"The Clarks and Woods who served in the Rev- 
olutionary war each sent a host of descendants into 
the 115th and the 77th New York. Captain Beriah 
Palmer, from your town in the Revolutionary war, 
sends a grandson to the Mexican war, and another 
descendant to the Civil war. The family of Luthers, 
one brother to the war of 1812, and one brother to 
the Mexican war. The grandfathers, fathers, sons, 
grandsons in the Revolutionary war, the war of 
1812, the Mexican war and the last war, increasing 
in numbers as time rolls on, in the family of Irish. 
Irish by name, they are your neighbors and people, 
and if we credit all the fighting qualities ascribed 
the race, they may well be Irish by nature. In the 
war of 1812 we find., John Story, his sons and de- 
scendants represented in the Mexican war and in 
the last war. The Thompsons of the 115th 
and 77th New York had fighting ancestors in 
the Mexican war. Cornelius Schermerhorn, of 
the war of 1812, sends down patriotic blood 
to James Schermerhorn, who goes forth to the Mex- 
ican war, only three of his company coming home, 
and his descendants again are in the last war. In 
the rolls of the 77th we find the Quackenbush family 
descended from the Quackenbushes who went forth 
from this locality to the war of 1812. A. C. Dun- 
ning, of the 115th New York upholds the reputa- 
tion of his father, E. Dunning, in the war of 1812. 
The brothers Harlow in the 44th and iisth New 
York, write their names proudly under that of 
their grandfather, A. C. Harlow, who fought in 
the war of 1812. 

"The Smiths of the war of 1812 find their sons 
and descendants in the Mexican war and in the last 
war. The Beach brothers, of the war of 1812, send 
their descendant, Capt. Beach of the 77th New York, 
to the last war. And so we find the Burnhams, the 
Lees, the Armstrongs, the Seamans. the Weeds, the 
Thompsons, the Palmers, the Millers, the Storys 
and the Luthers, represented in two wars, some of 
them in three. Here in your historic town, attend- 
ing your famous law school, lived Col. Slocum, who 
fell at the head of his regiment at Bull Run. The 
many eminent and noted graduates of that famous 
school, familiar with your shady walks and pure 
air will read with pleasure the record of your 
work in placing this shaft, and will recall memories 
of honored citizens like Rev. Dr. Babcock, the emi- 
nent divine and scholar, Eli Barnum, Joel Lee, James 
W. Horton ; Senators Geo. G. Scott and Isaiah 
Blood; James D. Warren, of Buffalo, George W. 
Chapman, and others. What a galaxy of proud, 
worthy statesmen and citizens who have gone from 
your midst, and yet there are more, succeeded and 
followed by your living and renowned sons, like 
West, L'Amoreaux, Gilmour, Moore, Thompson, 



Grose, Medbery, Parkinson, and a host of others, 
whose hands are visible in this most worthy and 
glorious work. There are victories of peace as well 
as war, and there your noble sons have crowned 
you with them. 

"We could rejoice if there were with us to-day 
that graceful orator and speaker, that noble and re- 
nowned son of Ballston — whom many within the 
sound of my voice will remember^when the village 
was ablaze with patriotic fervor, the white tents here 
all around the place where we now stand, the re- 
cruits coming in — memories of the silver-tongued 
speech and devotion of James M. Cook, 'to the 
citizen soldier' Hoat back to us like a dream. May 
we not believe that he looks down with pride and 
satisfaction on your work. Oh, that he could speak 
to us of the virtues and the memories of your 
brave sons. 

"I may be pardoned if I speak here, to the ex- 
clusion of others of two names on that monument 
who served in one of my favorite regiments, under 
my immediate command. A father and his three 
sons, all the men of the family, go forth to the last 
war. One of the sons who served with me, returns 
to you to be the inspiration of this beautiful mon- 
ument. Honor to your worthy chairman, who has 
honored himself in this work. An aide of the com- 
manding General asked for a volunteer on a most 
dangerous and perilous duty. A young man stepped 
to the front, so young looking as to cause the in- 
quiry if he knew the dangerous service and the risk. 
Proudly he replied, 'I understand myself;' and 
bravely he performed the task. In the terrible bat- 
tle of Malvern Hill, in the magnificent charge we 
made, he was severely wounded in the leg. Placed 
by the side of a tree, they left a canteen of water 
with him. He placed the canteen by his side and 
commenced firing and continued to fire until the 
surgeons came and decided it necessary to cut off 
his leg. 'There are rebel bullets in that leg; I will 
keep it for more of 'em, or die with it,' said the 
brave fellow, and he died, another hero on your list, 
Guy C. Delong, of the 44th New York." 

General Butterfield then spoke at some 
length of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
alUiding in eloquent terms to the principles 
of the order, "fraternity, Hberty, loyalty." 
He concluded his splendid oration with these 
words : 

"To-day, as in the past, we renew our vows, and 
while our neighboring Slate of Connecticut unveils 
her noble tribute of an equestrian statue to her 
grand old hero. General Putnam, we here and now 
consecrate this monument to our patriots of Balls- 
ton, and Milton, and Malta, who loved that flag and 
all it represents as we do. 

'When Freedom, from her mountain height, 

Unfurled her standard to the air. 
She tore the azure robes of night. 
And set the stars of glory there. 
She mingled with its gorgeous dyes 
The milky baldric of the skies. 



162 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



With streakings of the morning light ; 
Then from his mansion in the sun 
She called her eagle bearer down. 
And gave into his mighty hand 
The Symbol of her chosen land.' 
"Honor and glory ever to that flag. Prosperity 
and success to the country it represents, and bless- 
ings on the good people of those towns who honor 
patriotic devotion by this graceful tribute to those 
who upheld the flag and the nation." 

THE POEM. 

The poem for the occasion was written by 
Fred Emerson Brooks, of San Francisco'. 
Mr. Brooks was unable to be present, and the 
poem was read by Mr. John Person. 

On Saratoga's classic sod, 
Where Liberty the gift of God. 
Came down among those patriots old, 
Her starry banner to unfold. 
Remarking in a quiet way, 
"This flag and I have come to stay !" 
Is just the spot in all the land, 
A granite monument should stand, 
In honor of heroic men. 
Who, in a hundred years from then. 
Must button up their coats of blue, 
And die to make her saying true. 

I'nveil the shaft ! and stand aside, 
For yonder, see, with stately stride. 
Sweet Goddess, mindful of her own. 
Comes Liberty to kiss the stone. 
We hail thee Ballston, "first in war!" 
Thou art the shrine of "G. A. R." 
Because, the first to lead their ranks, 
The first to earn the Nation's thanks. 
The first upon the altar laid, 
To lead that countless dead brigade 
Up into glory through the grave 
Was Ellsworth, bravest of the brave ! 

Before that Alexandrian inn 
He quite forgets his discipline; 
But where's discretion when one sees 
A lawless banner in the breeze 
That has no right in freedom's air — • 
No right to flutter anywhere? 
His soul with indignation burns 
While to his regiment he turns — 
"Halt!" there they stand transfixed as stone; 
And mounting to the roof alone. 
Before the eyes of all the town. 
He tears that cursed banner down ; 
And drags it down the tavern stairs 
Where death is lurking unawares ; 
Fate leaps from out a traitor's gun 
And marks him hero number one. 

He seems to say beneath his breath. 
This flag and I go down to death. 
I drench it in a crimson flood — 
Baptize its downfall in my blood. 



We sometimes hear with great surprise, 
"His was a useless sacrifice!" 
Will some historian pray tell — 
When that belov'd young hero fell, 
When that first drop of blood was spilled — 
How many million pulses thrilled? 

'Twas then our eagle soaring high. 
Went screaming through the murky sky : 

"Arise, ye freemen ! Rise ye must ! 
Shall freedom's banner trail the dust? 
Shall treason's banner take its place. 
To flaunt in fair Columbia's face?" 

'Twas then the nation took alarm : 

The plowman left his untilled farm ; 

The apron by the anvil dropt ; 

The grist went home — the mill-wheel stopt. 

The judge to southward turned his face 

Declaring he'd decide their case; 

The creditor was filled with grief — 

The lawyer was a bit too brief, 

He signed the roll — all stood aghast — 

His hand was legible at last'. 

While some who couldn't write the name 

Just made their mark, 'twas all the same. 

The tailor's off, nor cares a whit 
How sadly his new trousers fit ; 
The fighting parson drops his text. 
He'd be a missionary next — 
.\h that some rebel should abridge 
His usefulness at iVIission Ridge. 

Fond mother, check the welling eye 
And save those tears for by-and-by ! 
Your boy has gone, he looks so neat. 
His knapsack holds an e.xtra sheet : 
His comrades laughingly ask its use — 
"Brave soldiers need no flag of truce." 
"This mother-gift I'll keep," he says, 
"Perchance 'twill do for bandages." 

And so they went the country o'er. 
While thousands followed thousands more; 
The brightest, bravest and the best — 
And how they fought— you know the rest ! 
Did all return? I've heard folks say 
Some wandered off the other way. 

'Tis fitting you should raise on high 
A shaft to him the first to die ! 
And it would tell enough of fame 
In bearing none but Ellsworth's name! — 
And yet the seven hundred men 
Whose names are here, full well yc ken 
Were soldiers just as brave as he 
And gave for others' liberty • 
Their own ; died to release the slave 
And back to fair Columbia gave 
Her land redeemed from deep to deep. 
All save the spot wherein they sleep — 
For that she only holds in trust — 
Where valor lies 'tis sacred dust. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



163 



Though mother earth take all the rest 
Who fall asleep upon her breast, 
To none gives she such honored room 
As those who fill a soldier's tomb! 
While Freedom with her white arms bare 
Holds up this segis high in air: 
"/ live because ye mould not yield 
Dead heroes of the battle Held!" 

Here, gazing on this granite pile 
And musing of the dead the while, 
Methinks I hear some alien say : — ■ 
"You've laid the blue beneath the gray!"* 
Irreverent stranger say not so ! 
This granite shaft I'd have you know 
But pays a tribute justly due: 
The gray perpetuates the blue. 
In looking for the Nation's dead, 
Pray turn your eyes just overhead 
They are not here beneath this sod 
But yonder with the Nation's God — 
The blue is still above the gray — 
Their souls went up the Milky Way, 
That starry high-road through the ev'n 
Whose farther gate swings into Heaven. 
Their banner hides them from our view. 
Whose sunset red, and white, and blue 
Now ilutters from their last redoubt 
With not a single star plucked out. 

Could you this temple veil divide, 
Could you but pull the folds aside 
Of that great banner God unfurled 
And gaze beyond this curtained world. 
You'd see your comrades on the march 
Pass 'neath their grand triumphal arch 
Of rainbow glory — hear the cry — 
Death was our grandest victory! 
But since you cannot see the gate. 
Why, blessed comrades, you must wait. 

As Sol creeps up the eastern sky 
To gild the name upon this die, 
Glory shall read each name aloud — • 
From high above the highest cloud 
Some angel voice most sweetly clear 
Will to the roll call answer — Here ! 

THOSE WHO FOUGHT. 

To make a complete roll of the men who 
enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, from the 
village of Ballston Spa, and the adjoining 
towns of Milton, Ballston and Malta is a dif- 
ficult, if not an impossible task. No local rec- 
ord was made at the time of enlistment, and 
the published records of the State, while 
very complete, give only the place of enlist- 
ment, and not the home of the volunteer. The 
roll of veterans made for the soldiers' monu- 

*Referring to the blue coats beneath the gray 
granite. 



nient added many names to the record pre- 
viously published in Mr. Sylvester's history, 
and the personal acquaintance of the author 
with many of the volunteers, assisted by sur- 
vivors of the war living in the towns men- 
tioned, makes the following roll of volunteers, 
with the locality from which they enlisted, 
undoubtedly as nearly correct as will ever be 
obtainable : 



BALLSTON SPA. 



Adna Abbs, Jr. 
William Abbs 
Braman Ayers 
Braman Ayers, Jr. 
Andrew J. Armstrong 

George S. Batcheller 
William G. Ball 
Return J. Burnham 
Henry W. Burnham 
Jay Burnham 
William H. Boice 
Isaac C. Boice 
James L. Boocock 
David Bourst 
Andrew Brower 
William Barrett 
Thomas Brady 
Andrew Butler 
George Bolton 

Thomas Craig 
William Craig 
George Cruise 
Charles Cruise 
Isaac Couse 
William J. Chilson 
James Conlon 
Chester P. Cornell 

Henry C. Delong 
John Duckett 
Joseph Dallas 
James Dunk 
Andrew J. Dubois 
Henry C. Dye 
Levi Demore 

Christopher Emperor 
John Emperor 
James Emperor 
John T. Eldridge 
Nathan Eldridge 
Warren Earls 
Patrick English 
John Ellsworth 

Christian Frear 
John S. Fuller 
Schuyler Freeman 



Stephen Farrell 
David Frisbie, Jr. 
George F. Foster 
Collins Foster 
Charles H. Foster 
Robert Fox 
John B. Ford 
James G. Ferris 

Elkanah Gildersleve 
George T. Graham 
Sylvester Gould 
George R. Goodwin 
Dudley Goodwin 
James K. Gillespie 
James Groom 
John Gibbons 
E. Goddard 
Charles Gurnsey 

Stephen S. Horton 
William B. Horton 
Clement C. Hill 
Noble P. Hammond 
Alanson F, Hatch 
Otis Holbrook 
Amasa A. Holbrook 
John H. Hovey 
Stephen Harris 
Thomas Harris 
Rowland Harris 
Frederick Hope 
John R. Harlow 
George M. Hoyt 
Edwin C. Hoyt 
Dallas M. Hoyt 
Charles W. Howard 
John Howard 
Andrew Hassett 
Joshua Heritage 
AVilliam H. Hewitt, Jr. 

James E. Irish 
Chauncey B. Irish 
Luther C. Irish 
George W. Ingalls 
Edwin R. Ingalls 

William J. Jennings 
William H. Johnson 



164 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Robert Birch Kelly 
Hugh Kelly 
Stephen Keyes 

George W. Luffman 
William Luffman 
Moses Laque 
Louis Laque 
Moses Lewis 
Joseph Lewis 
George B. Lawrence 
Martin Lee 
Samuel C. LaRue 
Louis Lane 
Henry Lowry 
William H. Link 
George LeQear 
E. Lehman 
Merrills Lansing 
Joseph Laque 
T. Luffman 

William H. McKittrick 
Frederick S. Mosher 
Alexander Morrison 
Wallace Morrison 
Edward Morrison 
Ira B. Morrison 
Samuel Massey 
Charles Massey 
James C. Milliman 
Alexander Mcintosh 
Wallace Mcintosh 
Thomas Mainhood 
George McCarg 
George Millham 
Albert McLane 
John Mitchell 
John T. Mosher 
Horace J. Medbery 
James E. Mabb 
demons Morris 
Patrick McGarr 
John Mosher 
James McNab 
Ralph E. Mead 
James B. McLean 
David D. Miller 

Henry O'Neil 
John O'Neil 
Thomas Osborn 
John O'Brien 

Edward Parkinson 
Edward C. Parkinson 
William J. Parkinson 
George H. Parkinson 
Melvin H: Potter 
Asahel W. Potter 
Robert Porter 
Isaac Porter 
James Pitts 
George C. Parks 
James W. Parks 
A. Peret 



James E. Reid 
Albert J. Reid 
John Reid 
Earl Rider 
Edward Rogers 

William H. Sherman 
Hiram P. Sherman 
Hiram R. Sweet 
Hiram Sweet 
William Seism 
Charles Searles 
Benjamin T. Simon 
Lafayette Schermerhorn 
Paul Settle, Jr. 
Philip Schaeffer 
Michael H. Smith 
Frederick Smith 
Richard Spicer 
Thomas Spicer 
John T. Spicer 
Arnold Spicer 
Frank Spicer 
Edwin Spicer 
Martin V. Sheffer 
Charles H. Sullivan 
John P. Staples 
George Snow 
David E. Sears 

Rev. David Tully 
Gideon A. Tripp 
Ephraim J. Tripp 
Ira Tripp 
Flavius A. Titus 
James D. Thompson 
Miletus S. Taft 
George W. Trumble 

Jas. B. Van Steenburgh 
S. R. Van Steenburgh 
Geo. L. Van Steenburgh 
Jno. H. Van Steenburgh 
Asa Van Dyke 
George Van Dyke 
Henry Vickerage 

James E. Webster 
Daniel Webster 
George Webster 
Joseph S. Wayne 
P. Piatt Williams 
Horace Weaver 
James M. Wood 
."Monzo M. Weatherwax 
Albert A. Weatherwax 
William Weatherwax 
At wood Wilber 
Datus E. Wilber 
Samuel H. Weldon 
Lee Whalen 

Rush H. Young 
Harvey Young 
Waldo Young 



TOWN OF MILTON. 



William Arnold 
Arnold T. Ayers 
Charles Andrews 
Wm. H. Alexander 
James Ashman 
Christian Arnold 

Daniel E. Bortell 
William Bortell 
James Bortell 
William Bartell 
Thomas C. Black 
William A. Baker 
George Bolton 
Nathan Brown 
Henry Brower 
James W. Bacon 
Daniel Bacon 
Case Ballou 
Edwin Bobenreath 
Alexander J. Beach 
George Bowers 
C. M. Burbey 
Milo E. Burbey 
Stephen R. Blackmer 
Louis Bertrand 
Frank Brown 
Charles Bennett 
Nathan Brower 
Andrew Benton 

Joseph Cromack 
Sidney O. Cromack 
William Campbell 
Qark Collins 
Charles P. Cornell 
Eugene N. Cornell 
George H. Curren 
S. J. Cutbush 
Patrick Cannon 
Mark Cochran 
James W. Cole 
James Cuyler 
Jared L. Crouch 
John Crouch 
Charles M. Carter 
Nathaniel Clark 
Michael Cochran 

Robert N. Delong 
Guy C. Delong 
Egbert W. Davis 
Stephen Davis 
Truman Deuel 
Joseph R. Day 
Benjamin H. Day 
Timothy Driscoll 
Abel B. Dye 
Wesley J. Date 
Thomas P. Davis 

Edward Estabrook 
Leonard Englehart 
Alfred Eighmy, Jr. 
William Eastham 



Andrew J. Freeman 
William H. Freeman 
Herman C. Fowler 
A. M. Fitzgerald 
James V. Fogg 
Samuel Farnsworth 
Cyrus M. Fay 
George Fuller 

Patrick Goonan 
Terrence Gregg 
Gottfield Gleesettle 
Frederick Gleesettle 
David E. Goffe 
Justus M. Gilson 
John Geogehan 
Warren J. Groesbeck 
Harley Groesbeck 
John Greer 
J. Golden 
Isaac Garrison 

Alexander C. Holmes 
George L. Hayes 
Seymour Harris 
Smith Harlow 
Nicholas Hudson 
Alva Hickok 
James A. Hanna 
Ozias Hewitt 
Cornelius S. Huyck 
Warren B. Huyck 
William L. Hoyt 
William Hall 
Edward Hall 
Martin Hunter 
William L. Hyatt 
John R. Harris 
H. Hall 

"Yankee" Inman 

James Jermain 
Benjamin J. Jones 
Edward D. James 

Frederick Keenholts 
Christopher F. Keenholts 
Oscar Kemp 
Benjamin P. Knapp 

William Lewis • 

Jesse R. Lewis 
H. C. Lockwood 
Edwin L. Lockwood 
Matthew Love 
Francis Love 
John S. Ladow 
Barney C. Lee 
Louis Lackley 
John Lewthwaite 
George C. Lowry 
William J. Lowrey 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



165 



Frederick Morehouse 
Ferdinand Miller 
Patrick Murray 
E. Wilson Merriman 
Bernard McGinnis 
Alexander Mead 
Andrew Miller 
James H. Moore 
Michael McWilliams 
George W. Moore 
Frank H. McCormick 
George Marcellus 

Leonard Osman 
Elijah Olmstead 
Frank Obree 

Charles Pettit 
Henry Packard 
Alfred Picket 
Anson J. Palmatier 
Reuben Parkhurst 
Charles A. Perry 
Joseph Putnam 
Seth W. Potter 

Patrick D. Rooney 
M. Relyea 
W. Relyea 

Elijah Sherman 
Edward C. Slocum 
Harris T. Slocum 
John Southwart 
Darius Shill 



E. P. Shill 
John G. Steinbauer 
Tobias Salisbury 
Horace J. Salisbury 
Simeon Sill 
Varnam Spencer 
Patrick Shay 
Patrick Sheehan 
N. J. Schermerhorn 
D. W. Schermerhorn 
Legar Strong 
J. W. Seaman 
J. H. Simmons 
N. Swan 

Isaac Thorp 
Benjamin Truman 
Royal M. Tenney 

Alonzo Vandenburgh 

Albert L. Wood 
George M. Wood 
Norman Wood 
James A. Wager 
Jeremiah Wager 
Eugene Werner 
Isaac Warn 
John Walls 
John R. Wilbur 
Loren Woodcock 
Henry J. Webber 
William Webb 
Henry Warner 
John Woodworth 



TOWN OF BALLSTON. 



Edward S. Armstrong 
Thomas Andrews 
Frazer Atkins 
Henry Abbs 

William G. Bradshaw 
John H. Briggs 
George H. Briggs 
Abram G. Bradt 
William Bradt 
George H. Bradt 
Thomas J. Bradt 
John Barnhart 
George W. Bigelow 
Marcus S. Burrus 

Frank Qark 
Lewis Calkins 
Hubert Curtis 
Philip S. Christy 

William Davis 
Josiah Dean 
M. Dean 
Thomas H. Dorsey 

George W. Gardner 



Philip M. Hill 
Frank Harris 

Joseph F. Jones 
D. K. Smith Jones 

Ransom Knights 
Michael Kildea 
John Kildea 
Otis King 
John Kearnes 
Alfred H. Kingsley 

Truman M. Loveland 
John Lanehart 
Jacob L. Lansing 
Levinus Lansing 
John E. Lansing 

Richard Millerd 
Frederick Martin 
William H. Mcintosh 
Richard L. Mcintosh 
Henry Mcintosh 
Edward Middleton 
John Morris 
John S. McKnight 



William R. Miller 
Lyman E. Miller 

Adam Niles 
Samuel H. Neilson 
Samuel Nelson 
Robert E. Nelson 

Peter Post 

William H. Quivey 
Aaron B. Quivey 

Patrick Reidy 

Horace L. Stiles 
George E. Springer 



John H. Shivis 
Benjamin J. Severance 
Charles Spiegel 

Lewis Trites 

William Wait 
John J. Wood 
Gilbert Warren 
Jacob Wager 
Norman F. Wicks 
Edmund Williams 
John H. Welch 
George W. Welch 
John Woodworth 
W. Wager 



TOWN OF MALTA. 



Joseph C. Abeel 
Hamilton Abeel 
Titus D. Allen 
Alonzo Allen 
Charles D. Atkinson 
Philip J. Austin 
Charles Atkins 

Chauncey L. Beebe 

Benjamin H. Carr 
Charles C. Clark 
Alfred Cook 

Charles S. Dunham 
Albert Dunning 
Eli F. Dunning 
John B. Davis 

George D. Fish 

Erastus H. Harder 
Warren Hill 
Orrin Hill 

William H. Kane 

Abram Lent 



William McCarty 
Charles W. Miller 
Abner Mosher 
Beekraan R. Near 

Edward G. Olmstead 
G. Albert Ogden 

Joseph Pairer 
Archy Phillips 

William H. Rose 

George D. Story 
Eugene Shears 
John Stewart 
Sidney Smith 
William Selch 
Peter Sickler 
C. Simpson 

Michael Van Horn 
George W. Vail 
Jas. H. Vanderwerken 
Jacob H. Van Arnem 
Wm. R. Van Arnem 

William W. Worden 
Elias Washburn 



The following list comprises the names 
of veterans whose names also appear on the 
monument, with the places from which they 
enlisted, so far as they can be ascertained. 
A large number of this list resided in Balls- 
ton Spa at the time the monument was 
erected : 

Charlton— Nathan H. Brovra. William Caw, Gar- 
rett S. Grovesteen, William H. Hart, William H. 
Jones, William H. Owens, Charles H. Palmer, 
Charles W. Rowley, Henry A. Smith, Thomas 
Stairs, Charles R. Severance, John Van Evera, Jas. 
K. Wilson. 



166 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Clifton Park— Warren Clapper, Albert Tones 
Benjamin Weight Noxon. 

Corinth — Francis E. Brower. 

Day— Elijah C. Bennett, Ambrose B. Milliman. 

Edinburgh— Loren H. Cole, David Jones. 

Galway— Thomas Armer, Merritt B. Allen, Henry 
Bolton, John J. Hunter, George Hughes, William 
lompkms, Charles F. Wait. 

Greenfield— William Clark, Zerah Cov, Allen S 
Glenn, John T. Harris, Oliver Jones, William D 
Jones, Lewis S. Jones, Henry F Jones, James E 
Lyons, Cyrus Padelford, James S. Palmer, Mark R 

M "^Tv.v'' B'="Ja"^'n B. Van Steenburgh, William 
N. Williams. 

Hadley— Charles Palmer. 

Halfmoon- Isaac V. Irish, Hiram Richardson. 

INIoreau- John Davis. 

Northumberland-Henry J. Davis, David Galusha. 

Providence— James C. Barber, Michael McWil- 
hams, Terence McGovern, Francis Soule. 

Saratoga— William Armstrong, Lyman Jones 
George W. McCreedy, Warner Van Valkenburgh,' 
Hamilton White. 

Saratoga Springs— George S. Reno, William H 
Hah, M. Kelly, J. A. Lee, J. Johnson, James Burke 
John A. Brown, James Green, Harvey A. Jones 
Peter Lyons, David McNeil, Daniel G. Wager' 

Stillwater— John Williams, John W. Arnold' 
Lucian Annable, Archibald Brown, William h' 
Quackenbush, Tunis W. Quackenbush, Andrew 
Sterrett, David A. Thompson, James Farrell. 



Wilton— Walton W. French. 

Albany— Peter Hogan. 
Troy— John D. Rogers. 
Utica— Amos J. Carter. 
Syracuse — Thomas Jennings. 
Poughkeepsie— Matthew Vassar. 
Fort Ann— Charles M. Nicholson. 
Illinois — John Hegeman. 
Boston— Charles E. Fitcham. 
Hartford, Ct.— Daniel A. Ayers. 
Vermont— Darwin A. Forbes. 
California— Abram Reynolds. 

Place of enlistment not known— J. Butler W H 
Barlow A. H. Bennett, W. Bell, I. Burke, H. Cole' 
P. H Cary E. Cooper, D. S. Corbin, C. Cutler, J. 
Douglas, J. H. Dubois, T. Dolan, C. Fink. W. Find- 
lay, R. W. Graham, J. S. Gardner, B. E. Harrison, 
H. Hannuni, D. B. HiUer, D. Howard, B. F. Hark- 
ness, E. F. Holley, R. E. Harris. W. Jackson, E. 
Kenyon A. V. H. Lansing, H. P. Lapham, P. Lager, 
J. McUear, M. McCarty, B. R. Mabee, J. Mullaney 
C. McLane, A. Nelson, M. Ostrander, N. Patchin 
A. J. Powell, C. P. Pearson, W. S. Rooney, C A 
Smitn, J. Shadwick, H. Selden, D. Selden, J Spad- 
holts, P. Sanders, D. J. Sill, A. Straight, W W 
Selden, D. B. Stringer, S. St. John, J. B. Tarbell, L 
H. Van Decar, N. B. Weed, J. S. Weed, C. B Wil- 
liams, W. H. Waldron, J. H. Williams, J. Warriner 
C Weitz, C. Wortz, C. West, M. Weatherwax, J. J 
Wright, V. West. ^ 




II 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



107 



Historic Notes 



FOR nearly a decade before the village 
had a corporate existence, the his- 
tory of this locality was being faith- 
fully recorded from week to week 
in the columns of the first newspaper in Sara- 
toga County, published at Court House Hill 
by Increase and William Child, pioneer edi- 
tors of the country weekly newspaper in the 
state of New York. 

Copies of Ballston newspapers in the pos- 
session of the author, going back to 1798, 
three years prior to the incorporation of the 
village, and completed files of the Journal since 
1847, comprise a history of local events which 
would fill several large volumes. From this 
great mass of information we have selected 
items of different periods relating to various 
topics, which may give some impressions 
of the village life through the years. 
While some have been copied verbatim, many 
i>f the items have been necessarily re-written 
in condensed form for this work. Although 
the name of the paper quoted does not, in 
many instances, indicate the place of publica- 
tion all the items are from papers published at 
Court House Hill or in Ballston Spa. 

The Saratoga Register, published at Court 
House Hill, in its issue of August 22, 1798, 
contained the following: 

"Married. — On Sunday evening last, Mr. David 
Maker, of Stillwater, to the amiable Miss Eliza 
Sweet of Milton." 

'■Communication. — Greenfield, Ai\g. 14, 1798. — 
In the field of Elisha Carpenter, Esq., of this 
town, were pulled this day a number of ears of 
corn, completely filled out and fit for roasting, 
which were planted on the 14th day of June, on a 
piece of land which was never plowed, and the 
said corn was never hoed." 

In the same paper, issued June 6, 1808, we 
find the following: 

"Advertisement — Money is said to be the root 
of all evil ; nevertheless the Post-riders are willing 
to run the risk of receiving their dues from the 
subscribers for the past two quarters." 



The post-riders delivered the newspapers 
in those days at the homes of subscribers. 

Margaret Cornell, who had been advertised 
by her husband as having "left his bed and 
board," indignantly retorts : 

"He should have showed that he had a bed, for 
this is the first time I ever knew that he was the 
owner of one. Indeed, I am now inclined to be- 
lieve that he alludes to one of mine. He says I 
have left his board. Now he never provided any 
board except now and then a scanty meal of po- 
tatoes. As for running him in debt he need have 
no apprehension, as no one will trust him where 
he is so unfortunate as to be known." 

Even in those early days politicians did not 
hesitate to misrepresent their opponents, a 
practice which has come down to the present 
time. Joshua Burnham wrote a private letter 
in 1806 which fell into the hands of the oppo- 
sition, who published it broadcast in a hand- 
bill. The letter was also published in the 
Saratoga Register as showing the methods 
used by the Republicans to defeat their Fed- 
eral opponents. Here is the letter : 

"Lansingburg, April 23, 1806. 
''Sir. — Mr. T has been up from Albany, 



and says the county ticket nominated at Troy 
must not be elected. At all events he says keep 

F- • out if possible. You must therefore turn 

out at the election all day. It won't cost much. 
Eat your breakfast late and you can stand it till 

the poll adjourns. Do all you can against F . 

He is our mark. Tell the people that he makes 
cards out of old Bibles and then carries them to 
Claverack, and gets folks drunk, and then cheats 
them. Tell them it is he that makes those awful 
lights in the north. The ignorant Dutchmen will 
believe it. Tell them everything published in the 

handbills about F is true — stop — no, that won't 

do. There are some of them that recommend him 
that are really true. These you must say are all 
lies. Lest you should be confounded, mind this 
rule. Everything in his favor say it is a lie ; every- 
thing against him sav it is true, and you can prove 

it by D L . D is good at that you may 

depend. In short tell them F has done every- 
thing except shoot his daddy. 

"Yours in haste, 
"Mr. J V . "J B .' 



168 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



The Saratoga Advertiser of September 23, 
1806, contains the advertisement of Epenetus 
White, Jun., & Co. They offer for sale dry 
goods, groceries, wines and Hquors, hardware 
and crockery, "and almost every otlier article 
suitable for the country." Epenetus White 
opened the second store in the village prior 
to 1800. 

The same paper has the following: "For 
Sale — A healthy middle-aged negro wench 



The announcement of a proposed banking 
institution appeared in the Independent Amer- 
ican of December 7, 1813, as follows: 

"Notice is hereby given that a petition will be 
presented to the Legislature of the State of New 
York at the next session thereof, to incorporate the 
names of the persons whose names are hereunder 
written, and their associates, into a body corporate, 
with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars, for 
banking purposes, under the name of the 'Saratoga 
Bank.' Signed — James Merrill, Epenetus White, Jr., 




C5.\NS SuUCI HOTEL I.V ISSO. ERECTED IN 1803. DEilOLISHED IN' l!iS7 



and child. For particulars enquire of the 
printer." 

The paper has four pages of five columns 
each, and ten columns are filled with adver- 
tisements. There is not a single line of local 
news, and the latest foreign news is dated July 
24, and the news from New York Septem- 
ber 13. 

In the Independent American of Nov. 4, 
1813, Moses Williams offers a reward of one 
cent for the apprehension and return of an 
apprentice to the shoe-making business. 

In the same paper of Nov. 16, 1813, the 
London news is dated Sept. 21. News from 
Raleigh, N. C, Oct. 4, and New York, Nov. 
4. This is in striking contrast to the present 
day of ocean cables and the telegraph. 



.\rchy Kasson, Amos Allcott, Hugh Hawkins, Nich- 
olas Low, John K. Beekman, Joel Lee, William 
Stilwell, William Sears, Michael Middlebrook, John 
Bennett, William W. Morris, Reuben Westcot, Ziba 
Taylor, Miles Beach, Ashbel H. Andrews. Dated 
Ballston Spa, Nov. 26, 1813." 

The bank was not established, and the vil- 
lage had no bank until twenty-five years later. 
The large capitalization of the proposed bank 
is very noticeable, but not more so than the 
amount of the capital stock of the Company 
which erected the factory on Gordon creek, 
in later years known as the oil 'cloth factory. 
In the Independent American of December 
21, 1813, the following advertisement ap- 
peared : 

"Notice is hereby given that the subscribers, on be- 
half of themselves and their associates, incorporated 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



169 



under the name of the 'Ballston Spa Company,' for 
ihe purpose of carrying on the business of manu- 
facturing woolen, cotton and linen goods, intend 
to apply to the Legislature of the State of New 
York, at their next session, for leave to extend the 
capital stock of said Company to eight hundred 
thousand dollars. Signed, Nicholas Low, Benjamin 
Peck. Dec. i6, 1813." 

It is quite evident that the men of early 
times projected large business enterprises. 

In its issue of May 17, 181 5, the Independ- 
ent American has a notice that Friendship 
Lodge, F. & A. M., will celebrate the anni- 
versary of St. John the Baptist in Ballston 
Spa, June 24. Rev. Joseph Perry to make 
the address. Mr. Perry was the Rector of 
Christ Qiurch, and in the possession of the 
writer is a printed copy of an address by Mr. 
Perry on a similar occasion in 1810. 

The following notice also appears : "Royal 
Arch Chapter will meet ist Monday in June, 
at one p. m." 

August 14, 1816, Samuel Smith announces 
in this paper that he has removed his tailor 
shop "two doors east of the Ballston Spa 
book store, between those celebrated me- 
chanics, Langworthy and Williams." Ijt is 
not known whether the latter gentlemen 
shared with Smith the cost of the notice. 

The People's Watch Tower of May 13, 
1818, says that "Galway Lodge, No. 267, of 
Free and Accepted Masons, will celebrate 
the festival of St. John the Baptist on June 
24, 1818." 

The Gazette of Dec. 9, 1823, contains the 
advertisement of "Elias Baldwin, black and 
zvhite smith." 

In its issue of Dec. 13, 1825, the Gazette 
has an editorial on the election of John W. 
Taylor as Speaker of the House, and in Oct. 
26, 1824, announces that Hon. John W. Tay- 
lor will deliver the address at the sixth an- 
nual exhibition of the Saratoga County Agri- 
cultural Society. 

The Gazette of December 16, 1823, con- 
tained the following notice relating to a 
banking institution for the village: 

"The subscribers for themselves and associates, 
hereby give notice that they intend to apply to the 
Legislature of this State, to grant them a charter 
for a Bank to be entitled The Saratoga County 
Bank, with a capital of $50,000, to be located at 
the village of Ballston Spa, with the restriction that 
the stockholders' individual property shall be holden 
for the redemption of its bills; to be enforced by 



summary process. Ballston Spa, Dec. 8, 1823. Al- 
pheus Goodrich, James Merrill, Harvey Loomis, 
Epenetus White, Joel Lee, Isaac Rowland." 

A visitor to Ballston Spa in 1823 gave ex- 
pression to his sentiments in the following 
rhyme : 

"No more shall your youths and your maidens 

Droop quickly and sink into the grave; 
And middle-age father, and perish. 

With nothing to help or to save; 
The angel of death stands astounded. 

All folded his raven black wings, 
Disheartened, amazed and confounded 

At the wonderful Ballston Springs." 



Albany, Saratoga ^ 

BA£XS*FOIf S7A 




Mail Post Coach 

WlLLcofliinne to run ihe remein- 
der of the fall.and winter seaeons 
in the rolloving order, viz. 

Leave Saratoga aod Biillstoa Spa eve- 
rjr day— leaving Saratoga at 8 o'clocli. 
and BalUtoD Spa at 9 o'clock. A. M. 

Leave Albany ever/ day at 9 o'clock, 
A. M. 

For seats apply at J. Palmer's Moni- 
gomety Hall, Saratoga, and at Kidd's 
Mansion House. Ballston Spa, )n A)- 
hany, at Rice <£ Baker's General Stage 
Office, No. 526, South Market street, op- 
posite the Eagle Tavern. 

HARVEY LOOMES, Bailston Spa, 

RICE & BARKER, Albanp, 

PROPRIETORS. 

Albany- October 1826 r 



An Old Advertisement. 

In the Gazette of June 27, 1837, the Troy, 
Ballston and Saratoga railroad advertised 
two trains each way every day, and one Sun- 
day train. 

Ballston Spa had a military organization 
as early as 1848, the following call appearing 
in the village papers in October of that year: 
"Attention, Company ! Notice is hereby given 
to the members of the 'Ballston Spa Citizens 
Corps,' that they will meet at the drill room, 
in George Thompson's building, on Thurs- 
day evening of each week, at seven o'clock 
precisely. John J. Lee, Secretary." Samuel 



170 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



H. Cook was Captain, and George Babcock 
drill master. The Company was composed 
of the leading young men of the village. 

The Journal of October 19, 1847, speaks 
in poetic strain of the pretty "factory girls" 
of sixty years ago: 

THE BALLSTON GIRLS. 

"Sweet Ballston girls," — said Ben one day. 

While they were gaily spinning — 
"Upon my honor I will say, 

"You all are deuced winning." 
"If I but had a fortune now 
As ample as my will. 
Not one of you, henceforth, I vow, 
Should work within that mill." 

"Ah !" — said a pretty blue-eyed miss, 
A fair and rosy creature; 
With lips that seemed but made to kiss. 

And love in every feature — 
"\\"itli such a will there are but few. 

But easier said than done ; 
Yet this I'd do, if I were you. 
Begin to-day, with one." 

At the close of the political campaigfn the 
Journal s-iirred up the W'higs in its issue of 
October 24, in this style, printed in bold type, 
double column : 

"Whigs of Saratoga rouse to action! Remember 
that a full vote is a Whig victory. The enemy is 
already in the field ; but we can't be whipped when 
we all pull together. Two weeks from to-day the 
battle ends. Whigs, are you ready for action? 
Be active, be vigilant, and a glorious victory will 
be your reward." 

The ''tariff" was an issue in the political 
campaign of 1848, and the Journal strongly 
advocated a high protective tariff. In its 
issue of October 31 we find the following: 

"A Good Hit. — .A poem called the 'Devil's New 
Walk,' in imitation of Coleridge's well-known lines, 
just published in Boston, has the following stanza : 
'He went into the mill where the wheels were still, 

.•\nd the keys in the hands of the sheriff. 
And he laughed to think how the operatives 
All voted against the tariff.' 

"This is true to the letter. \'ery matiy are so 
wedded to party that they will cast their vote for 
men who are in direct opposition to their own best 
interests! Alas I how strange!" 

In the month of September, 1849, John K. 
Gough, "the young apostle of temperance," 
as he was called in the village papers, was in 
the village for three days, at a temperance 
meeting. He made several addresses to au- 
diences that crowded the Baptist Church, 
with its large galleries, to the doors. 



The Journal of Jan. 9, 1849, states that a 
proposition has been made to conduct the 
Saratoga waters to New York City in glass 
pipes, and that it was to be submitted to the 
Legislature. 

THE FORTV-XIXERS. 

News of the discovery of gold in Califor- 
nia in 1849 was not long in reaching Ballston 
Spa. The Journal of February 6, 1849, says: 

"Last week eight gold thirsty fellows left this 
region for California ; their names are as follows : 
George W. Lee, Seymour R. Chase, Joseph De 
Forest, Nathaniel M. Clark and Callender Beecher 
of this village ; Stephen Anson and John CoUamer 
of Malta, and Stephen G. Rowland of Milton. All 
of them are young men of enterprise, and we hope 
they may realize all they anticipate in the way of 
gathering the gold dust. Who will start next in 
pursuit of the pot of money at the end of the rain- 
bow we will not pretend to predict." 

The trip in those days was across the great 
plains of the west, and through the passes of 
the Rocky Mountains in "prairie schooners," 
or by water to Panama, across the Isthmus 
overland, and again by water to San Fran- 
cisco. The Ballston party went by the water 
route. Whether their thirst was quenched or 
not, history does not disclose. 

In these days of marvelous engineering 
achievements, it is curious to read the follow- 
ing from the Journal of October 7, 185 1 : 

"The Hudson River Railroad. — This great enter- 
prise is now completed. When first talked of, it 
will be remembered, it was considered impracticable, 
besides, if it could be completed at all, it was con- 
sidered by many as a wild speculation, and would 
only end in ruin, as far as capital was concerned, to 
all engaged. Trains leave New York at 8 o'clock 
and arrive in .'\lbany at 12.50." 

In its issue of November 25, 1851, the 
Journal said : "N. Reed Vandenburgh, while 
working on a new wagon shop on Middle- 
brook street, fell thirty feet with a scaffold 
on which he was working, and was severely 
injured, but is on the way to recovery." Mr. 
\'andenburgh became the leading contractor 
and builder in the village. January 4, 1892, 
while employed as contractor in the erection 
of the new Methodist Church, he met with a 
similar accident to that which occurred forty- 
one vears before, falling from a timber on 
which ice had collected, to the cellar of the 
church, a distance of about eight feet. He 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



171 



died three days later as the result of his in- 
juries. 

September 21, 1852, the Journal published 
in its column of poetry, which was a feature 
of the weekly paper at that time, and for many 
years after, the following: 

"the old folks at home." 

"The following is said to be the latest fash- 
ionable negro melody, and is making a great 
sensation. The author's name is unknown." 
Then follow the three verses beginning — 
"Way down upon the Suwanee river." 

That part of the village north of the Blue 
Mill has been known as "the north-end," 
"Brooklyn," and "north-side," but the Journal 
of May 8, 1853, discloses a new name, and at 
the same time compliments one of the citizens 
in this manner: "No part of the village is 
more prosperous than the north end, by some 
called "Suttersville," over which our enter- 
prising townsman, William W. Arnold, is the 
Mayor. Three years since north of the Blue 
Mill there was now and then a dwelling, but 
since it has fallen into Mr. A's hands a small 
village has sprung up at once." The signifi- 
cance of the name "Suttersville" has passed 
into oblivion. 

The following appeared in the Journal of 
March 21, 1854: "Mechanics' Association. — 
We understand a meeting of mechanics of 
our village has been held for the purpose of 
taking preliminary steps for the formation of 
an Association for their protection as it re- 
gards the prices for labor." The Association 
was formed, and was the first labor organiza- 
tion in the village. 

From the Journal of February 20, 1855: 

"An attempt to Rob. — On Wednesday evening 
last, as Isaac Fowler, Esq., cashier of the Ballston 
Spa Bank, was about passing from the street into 
his dwelling, (he lived over the Bank,) just re- 
turned from Albany, where he had been making ex- 
changes for the Bank, he was knocked down by 
some ruffian who came up behind him, and an at- 
tempt made to wrest the carpet bag from him, 
which contained about $8,000 in bank bills, and 
$7,000 in checks. The blow not being of sufficient 
force to render the cashier entirely unconscious, he 
cried out for assistance, whereupon the villain 'took 
to his heels' and fled. It appears that the person 
who attempted this robbery had an accomplice, who 
was in wait for him with a horse and cutter upon 
High street, which carried him beyond the corpor- 
ate limits in a hurry. This was a bold undertaking. 



and is a case well calculated to caution those who 
carry much money with them. At any rate a Colt's 
revolver is not very inconvenient to carry." 

On the evening of June 28, 1855, "The 
Flower Queen, or Coronation of the Rose," a 
cantata by George F. Root, was produced 
by the young people of the village, under the 
direction of Mr. J. H. Colby, in the Court 
House. The court room was crowded, and 
the bright and pretty music was so admira- 
bly rendered, that a general request was 
made for its repetition, and the cantata was 
repeated July 3. December 15, 1892, this 
beautiful cantata was again given in the Sans 
Souci opera house, under the direction of 
Miss Mary Lee, who, as a young girl, took 
part in the cantata in 1855. It was given 
for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church. 
The opera house was crowded to the doors, 
and many were unable to gain admission. 
So does history repeat itself. 

An editorial in the Ballston Democrat of 
January 26, 1855, asks this pertinent ques- 
tion in its headline : "Is there a Democratic 
party?" 

We presume that two weeks later Mr. 
Seymour Chase, the editor of the Democrat 
had lost all interest in the matter for the time 
being, this notice appearing in the Democrat 
of February 16: 

"Married — In this village on the 5th inst., by Rev. 
L. W. Hayhurst, Seymour Chase to Julia Matteson, 
both of this village. 

And may the Chase in whose embrace 

She is now so fondly locked. 
Preserve her form from adverse storm, 
And ne'er in pi be knocked. Devil." 

A few months later Mr. Chase returned 
vigorously to the political question. Hear him 
in the issue of the Democrat of July 13, in 
the same year: 

"Democrats ! to the stump ! Let us have a stump 
campaign and stump nominations this fall. It is 
time conventions were done with ; and let the 
people in their aggregate capacity, nominate their 
own candidates. A mass nominating convention 
will be the thing. It is time the pettifoggers were 
'crushed out' — it is time somebody besides party 
hacks placed candidates before the people. Let the 
word bo — 'Good men, and Stump Nominations'." 

The same paper of June 22, 1855, says: 
"The McMaster house, one of the relics of 
Ballston's former renown as a watering place 
was destroyed by fire yesterday." 



172 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



The following is a fac simile of the State 
ticket used at the general election in Saratoga 
county in 1855. It was printed at the Jour- 
nal office. Compared with the present blanket 
ballot, it is a curiosity, and is entitled to pres- 
ervation as a matter of political history: 



STATE. 



For Governor, 

Myron H. Clark. 

For Lieutenant Governor^ 

Henrj' J. Raymond. 

For Canal Commissioner, 

Henry Fitzhugh. 

For Inspector of State Prisons, 

Philip H. McOmber. 

For Representative in Congress, 

James M. Andrews. 

For County Clerk, 

Latham Coffin. 

For County Treasurer, 

Orville D. Vaughn. 

For Superintendent of the Poor, 

Abraham Middlebrook. 

For Justice of Sessions, 

Ezra Westcott. 



The local news was frequently given in 
unique and racy style. The following is from 
the Democrat of July 27, 1855 : 

"ballston m.'Mne iac items." 

"Dennis Geoghegan was found as 'drunk as new 
rum,' or 'tight as a drum,' or as 'cocked as an old 
musket,' or 'three sheets in the wind,' or 'how 
come you so?' or 'stewed,' or 'pickled,' or 'oblivi- 
ous,' or 'saturated with rye,' or 'infused with the 
anti-Maine law sentiment;' it matters not which 
term be used, for he was thoroughly drunk, from 
cranium to boots, — drunk inside and outside, and 
all over drunk. Consequently he was nabbed, taken 
before the justice, and sent up to Prof. McOmber's 
to thaw out, where he spent Monday night. On 
Tuesday he was fined $10, which was finally paid, 
and Dennis went on his way rejoicing, promising 
never again to try a hand-to-hand fight with King 
Alcohol. 

"John McMann was found slightly elevated by 
Constable Ford, and nabbed and taken before Justice 
Brown. .\s the law does not define specifically the 
point where sobriety leaves off and drunkenness 
commences, and as the said John was able to stand 
up, he was discharged by the Justice; but, as we 
understand, had the 'revel out,' and spent the night 



in the Village Pound, where he was 'caged' by 
some mischievous boys." 

The Democrat took umbrage at the action 
of the Baptists, and in its issue of July 11, 
1856, said: 

"The Saratoga Baptist Association traveled out 
of its legitimate duties in the resolution which it 
adopted on political subjects at Burnt Hills. We 
have an idea that it had better pass resolutions that 
Paul was a loafer and member of the 'slave 
oligarchy,' and not an apostle of Christ, because he 
delivered up the slave Onesimus to his master 
Philemon. This political meddling of the church 
in politics has no good tendency." 

The resolutions referred to were opposed 
to slavery, advocated the repeal of the fugi- 
tive slave law, condemned the brutal assault 
upon Senator Charles Sumner of Massachu- 
setts, in the Senate Chamber at Washington, 
by Senator Brooks of South Carolina, on May 
22d of that year, opposed the extension of 
slavery into the free states and territories, and 
closed by saying: "All men friendly to the 
interests of freedom and good government 
are called upon by all they hold dear and 
sacred, to unite their strength at the ballot 
box for the maintenance of the rights of con- 
science and of free speech." Similar reso- 
lutions were adopted at the Baptist Associa- 
tional meetings in 1854 and 1855, but doubt- 
less escaped the argus eyes of the Democrat. 
The resolutions in each instance were pre- 
sented by Rev. H. L. Grose, then pastor of 
the Baptist Church at Galway village, who 
a few years later, became the editor of the 
Ballston Journal, and often measured editorial 
swords with Mr. Chase, of the Democrat. 

The Journal of January 10, i860, said : 
"Mr. John C. Booth will lecture at Waverly 
Hall in this village on Thursday evening, 
January 12, on "The life and exploits of Joe 
Bettys," the noted Tory and spy of Ballston. 
The lecture was the account as written for 
Mr. Booth's history. This story of Joe 
Bettys, the only complete account of his life 
ever written is given elsewhere in this history. 
The "Sons of Malta" was a secret order 
that existed throughout the country for a few 
years. The editor of the Journal was not 
favorably impressed with the society, and 
said in the issue of January 12, i860: "We 
understand that an organization of the Sons 
of Malta is about being perfected in this vil- 
lage. The institution is a 'purely benevolent' 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



173 



one, and therefore has no 'majority' ambi- 
tion. Those who value their character should 
read the article of the Troy Times on that in- 
stitution, before joining." The order held its 
meetings in the Armory for two or three 
years, when it ceased to exist. 

In 1863 the price of news paper went to 25 
cents per pound. The Journal was compelled 
to reduce its size, and advance its price. The 
Journal establishment bought tons of old 
paper and books, paying eight cents a pound. 
This stock was sold to the paper mills for 
from ten to twelve cents. 

In February, 1873, a very successful musi- 
cal convention, continuing for one week, was 
held in the Baptist Church, with Prof. L. O. 
Emerson, of Boston, as conductor. There 
was a chorus of one hundred voices, and at 
the two public concerts Mrs. B. F. Baker, 
Miss Isabel Lee, Prof. T. C. Bunyan and Mr. 
Poindexter were the soloists. 

A few years later a musical convention was 
held in the Baptist Church, with Prof. Wil- 
liam F. Sherwin as conductor. There was 
a large chorus, and at one of the concerts 
"Concone's Mass in B Flat" was rendered. 
The quartet on this occasion were Miss Isabel 
Lee, Mrs. E. F. Grose, Mr. H. F. Cary and 
Mr. E. F. Grose. 

The finest musical event in the history of 
the village were the two concerts of the Balls- 
ton Musical Association in the Methodist 
Church in May 29 and 30, 1888, under the 
direction of Prof. J. E. Van Olinda, of Troy. 
The soloists were Miss Louise Baldwin, of 
Boston, Miss Jeannie Lyman and Mr. Thomas 
Impett, of Troy, and Miss Hattie Holley, of 
Troy, accompanist. Blaisdell's orchestra of 
Boston, and the chorus of 125 voices com- 
pleted the array of talent. Neils W. Gade's 
cantata, "Psyche," was magnificently rendered 
by soloists, chorus and orchestra, to an en- 
thusiastic audience which filled the large 
church. 

THE ASIATIC CHOLERA. 

This terrible scourge of the Eastern coun- 
tries made its first appearance on the Ameri- 
can continent at Quebec, in the early summer 
of 1832. At Montreal its ravages were ap- 
palling, and the epidemic soon appeared in 
Plattsburg and Whitehall. This occasioned 
great alarm at Ballston Spa and also at Sara- 



toga Springs, and the season was probably 
the pKXirest either village ever experienced. 
Active measures were immediately taken 
in this village to protect it from the awful 
disease. A public meeting of the Trustees was 
held at the Court House June 22nd, 1832, at 
which the following preamble and resolutions 
were adopted and ordinance passed: 

"Whereas, That dreadful scourge of mankind 
called spasmodic cholera, which has raged for some 
years upon the Eastern continent, and ravaged 
some of the fairest portions of the earth, spreading 
terror, destruction and death wherever it goes, has 
at length reached our shores, and is now raging 
at Quebec, Montreal and other Canadian towns 
and villages, having been brought over to this coun- 
try by emigrants from Ireland, thousands of whom 
are now swarming through the Canadas, and some 
strolling off through the United States, carrying 
with them that awful pestilence and spreading it 
far and wide throughout the land. 

"And whereas. It is satisfactorily established that 
the disease is of a contagious nature ; that quaran- 
tine regulations are useful to prevent its introduc- 
tion, and that the utmost cleanliness in our dwell- 
ings, our yards, our shops and our streets and alleys, 
as well as our persons, and temperance in our 
habits are useful in checking the malignity and 
progress of the pestilence, by securing the human 
system against a predisposition to the disease. 

"Therefore, be it ordained that P. H. McOmber, 
Rowland A. Wright, Dr. Samuel Freeman and Dr. 
Eliphalet St. John be a board of health for the 
village, to confer with the board of health at Sara- 
toga Springs, and they are hereby authorized to 
adopt and enforce such measures as they shall think 
proper to secure our village from the introduction 
and spread of the dreaded pestilence." 

A Vigilance Committee of fifteen was also 
appointed which had authority to enter all 
places in the village at any time for examin- 
ation, and it was their duty to examine all 
buildings, cellars, yards, streets, alleys, drains, 
and vaults daily, and to compel them to be 
kept clean and pure; to examine all foreign- 
ers and persons from infected places that en- 
tered the village, and to order their removal 
from the village. The members of the com- 
mittee were Moses Williams, Harvey Loomis, 
James M. Cook, Samuel S. Spear, Hiram 
Middlebrook, Andrew Watrous, Archibald 
Speir, Dr. E. St. John, Aaron R. Pattison, 
Dr. Samuel Freeman, Joseph Jennings, 
Jonathan S. Beach and Abraham T. Davis. 

So thoroughly did the boards of health and 
the vigilance committees perform their duties, 
that although the scourge was appalling in 
fatal results in Albany, New York and else- 



174 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



where throughout the land, not a single case 
occurred in this village, or in Saratoga 
Springs. 

"old trophy gun." 

The village is in possession of an old cannon 
captured from Burgoyne at the battle of 
Bemis Heights, which through the years is 
frequently mentioned in accounts of Fourth 
of July celebrations and other public observ- 
ances, as "the old trophy gun." Later on the 
irreverent youth of the village gave the old 
cannon the euphonious title — "Old Betsy" — 
a name which has chmg to it to the present 
day. It has been dismantled for many years, 
but should be properly mounted and given a 
permanent resting place at the base of the 
soldiers" monument on Low street. Civic 
pride should accomplish this result at an early 
day. 

Early in the war of 1812, Elder Elisha P. 
Langworthy, Joel Lee, Judge Thompson, 
Sanbun Ford, Joshua B. .\ldridge and others 
contributed to a fund to purchase a cannon 
to celebrate the American victories. Elder 
Langworthy went to Albany, and on making 
his errand known, the State authorities made 
a gift to the village of the "trophy gim." 
Elder Langworthy used so much of the fund 
as was necessary, to have the gun properly 
mounted, and to purchase a plentiful supply 
of ammunition. When the gun was ready, 
"Elder Langworthy drove his own team to 
Albany and brought the 'trophy gun' through 
the forest to Ballston. The welkin resounded 
with its loud boom last Independence Day. 
The gun is used to herald the news from the 
war, and is heard for miles around, bringing 
the people from all directions to hear the 
news, and Elder Langworthy is one of the 
foremost to assist upon such occasions." 

AN OLD BELL. 

The Albany Journal of June 3. 1893, 
speaking of an old bell brought from Holland 
in 163s and hung in the belfry of the old 
"Stadt Huys" on the northeast comer of 
Broadway and Hudson avenue, said : 

"For nearly one hundred and sixty years it was 
rung on all public occasions, and to summon legis- 
lators, lawyers and judges to their duties in the 
rooms below, .^fter the old State House was de- 
molished the bell was placed in the cupola of the 



new capitol, where it hung for many years. At last 
it was taken down. What became of it is somewhat 
uncertain ; it is believed that it hangs in one of 
the churches at Ballston Spa." 

A Ballston correspondent of The Sara- 
togian writing to that paper under date of 
June 9, quotes the article mentioned above, 
(which had appeared a few days before), 
and says : 

"This old relic referred to is now in the belfry 
of the Episcopal chapel on High street, opposite 
Church avenue. The bell was brought from Albany 
and placed in the Episcopal church at Ballston 
Center the last of last century. A new church was 
built in Ballston and the bell was removed here. 
Later a church was built near the corner of Court 
and Front streets, and here the old bell did service 
for many years. A new Episcopal church was built 
corner of High street and Church avenue, and for 
several years this old bell called the people to wor- 
ship. A few years ago a larger bell was purchased 
and placed in the belfry of the new Episcopal church, 
and the old bell brought from Holland in 1635 now 
calls the children together for their Sabbath school 
exercises each Sunday in the Episcopal chapel op- 
posite the church on High street. Ever now and 
then the history of the old relics of the State ter- 
minated in our beautiful village." 

A very pretty piece of sentiment, but his- 
toric truthfulness compels us to state that it 
is entirely incorrect, although it has been ac- 
cepted as a fact by some residents of the vil- 
lage. The old bell which now hangs in the 
tower of the Episcopal Chapel was presented 
to Christ Church of Ballston Spa by the old 
Dutch Reformed Church of Albany, after the 
church at Ballston Centre had been taken 
down and re-erected on Front street in this 
village. The bell was made in 1774 for the 
German Church in Albany. What has be- 
come of "the old bell brought from Holland 
in 1635" we know not; we only know that it 
has never hung in the belfry of any church 
in Ballston Spa. 

MME. ALBA N I. 

Miss Emma Lajeunesse, who, as Madame 
Albani, became one of the world's greatest 
singers in grand opera, assisted by her sister 
Cornelia, gave a concert in old Waverly Hall 
on the evening of November ig, 1863. The 
Journal spoke very highly of the beautiful 
voice of the young girl, then in her fourteenth 
year, and prophesied a great career in the 
musical world for the young singer. Miss 
Lajeunesse, with her sister and father were 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



175 



at this time residing in Saratoga Springs, 
and for several evenings had been singing at 
a CathoHc fair in St. Mary's Church in this 
viUage. Her singing was received with so 
much favor, that Mr. Lajeunesse announced 
a concert in W'averly Hall. It was the first 
appearance of Miss Lajeunesse on the con- 
cert stage, and she was enthusiasticallx' 
greeted by an audience which filled the hall. 
It was the first pu])lic success of one who in 
later years was to delight all Europe, as well 
as all America with her marvelous voice. 

Mr. Lajeunesse was a musician of consid- 
erable aliility, but in very moderate financial 
circumstances. In conversation with the 
writer he expressed his deep regret at his in- 
ability to give to his daughter the musical ad- 
vantages which her talent deserved, saying : 
"My daughter Emma has a most beautiful 
voice, and some day, in the grand opera, she 
will be famous in this country, and in France, 
and all over Europe, if she can have the 
chance." 

Soon after the concert in this village, Miss 
lajeunesse was heard in Albany, which re- 
sulted in a wealthy lady of the capital city 
sending her to Europe for a musical educa- 
tion. Her first appearance in Europe, in 
grand opera, some three years later, was a 
great triumph, which was repeated time and 
again for many years on both sides of the 
water. She assumed the name "Albani," in 
honor of the Albany lady who gave her "the 
chance." A year or two before his death, 
Mr. Lajeunesse, the proud father of the great 
singer, said that he should always remember 
the kindness of the good people of Ballston, 
and that "my daughter Emma Albani will 
always be grateful for the encouragement 
she received at her first concert." 



ployed to take people to their homes. When 
the Blue Mill dam was built in 1830, it was 
predicted that on account of its great height 
it would not withstand the force of the water, 
and during the hours of this freshet, with the 
water a foot in depth pouring over the dam, 
a very general fear prevailed that the dam 
would go out, entailing an enormous loss of 
property. But Hiram Middlebrook built the 
dam strong and true, and it bravely withstood 
the mad rush of the waters, and stands to-day, 
after three-quarters of a century, apparently 
as strong as when built. The old Blue Mill 
bridge on Milton avenue, about fifty feet be- 
low the dam, and the longest and largest 
single stone-arch bridge in the county, was 
undermined and badly damaged, a portion 
of the south abutment being carried aw-ay, 
taking with it a lad of eleven years, Clarence 
Edwin Foster, of Bloodville. His body was 
recovered a day or two later on the meadows 
a mile east of the village. The property loss 
exceeded $ico,ooo. In repairing the dam- 
ages, the stone bridge and the two wooden 
bridges over Gordon creek were replaced with 
iron bridges, at a considerably higher grade. 
Since that time no serious flood has been ex- 
perienced in the village. 

In February, 1896, twenty-six years later, 
a period of remarkably warm weather, for 
that season of the year, raised the water in the 
Kayaderosseras to a very unusual height, 
breaking up the heavy ice, which came down 
the stream, carrying awa)- bridges and dams, 
and destroying property to the value of $125,- 
000. The mills in the village were damaged 
to some extent, and portions of the two dams 
of the lower Blue Mill pond went out. the 
property loss in the village amounting to 
about $10,000. 



THE GREAT FRESHET. 

The greatest freshet in the history of the 
village occurred October 4, 1869. The 
Kayaderosseras and Gordon creek rose to 
great height, the Red Mill dam and the 
Hawkins d.am went out, the bridge over Gor- 
don creek at Bath street was swept down 
the stream, and lodging against the bridge 
on Milton avenue, a dam soon formed, 
flooding all the lower part of the village. Mil- 
ton avenue, on "the flats," was more than two 
feet under water, and row boats were em- 



THE OLD WELL. 

An amusing story is told in connection with 
the old well on Court House Hill, which in 
early days was in the south-east corner of the 
court yard. David R. Harlow was entertain- 
ing a friend at his home, a rod or two distant 
from the well. A heavy snow had fallen, and 
the drifts were unusually deep. Harlow said 
to his friend, "that drift out yonder," pointing 
in the direction . of the well, which was en- 
tirely snowed under, "is thirty feet deep." 
His friend questioned the statement, and a 



176 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



wager of five dollars was made. Harlow told 
his nephew, "Lou" Harlow, to get some poles 
and measure the drift. "Lou" got three long 
poles, lashed two of them together, and tak- 
ing his position directly over the well, pro- 
ceeded to push the pole through the drifted 
snow. Down, down the pole went, (into the 
old well), and it became neccessary to attach 
the third pole. As the pole continued to de- 
scend, the astonished visitor called out, "You 
win the money \" and the stakes were paid 



The water of the lake was so cold and pure 
it was called by the Indians "sweet water." 

THE MOURNING KILL. 

This stream runs through the town of Balls- 
ton, and a short distance east of the village 
of Ballston Spa, until it empties into the 
Kayaderosseras. "Tradition speaks of a 
severe battle between the Iroquois and Al- 
gonquin tribes, at the headwaters of the 
stream known as the 'Mourning Kill.' This 







. .^■■; r^^^^pl^^- / 


■■*^:-#^rP-- 







THE MOURNING KILL, EAST HIGH STREET. 



over to Harlow. It was some weeks later 
before Harlow's friend learned the joke that 
had been perpetrated. 

LEGEND OF BALLSTON LAKE. 

"There is an Indian legend that this lake 
was called by the dusky men of the woods 
'neutral ground,' and warriors who had 
sought by all the cunning that belongs to the 
Indian race to take the life of their enemies, if 
by chance they should meet upon the shores 
of this lake, the calumet of peace was lighted, 
and while they remained by its waters they 
were friends. Thus like the Cities of Refuge 
of olden time, the red men of the woods held 
this lake in the same light." 



name was applied by the early residents owing 
to an annual custom kept up even so late as 
1770. The adjacent Indians would assem- 
ble on the ground of the old battle on the 
anniversary of the event and celebrate mourn- 
ing rites for those who had fallen in the fight. 
Hence the name of the creek." 

THE TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 

A history of Saratoga county, published 
some ten years ago, in its account of the war 
with Spain says, in referring to the organiza- 
tion of the Saratoga Citizens Corps: "No 
National Guard company existed in Saratoga 
county previous to 1877." This is an error 
which should be corrected. Early in the '50's 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



177 



the 29th Regiment, New York State Militia, 
was organized. There were ten companies, 
of one hundred men each, all of them from 
Saratoga county, with Regimental head- 
quarters at the Armory in this village, which 
was erected for the Regiment in 1858. 

The annual "general training," which ex- 
tended over three days, was quite an event in 
this village. The regimental camp for many 
years was on the Cooper lot, where St. Mary's 
cemetery is now located, and later on the 
plains, where the base ball grounds are at 
present situated. The regiment was fully 
equipped with tents, and all the paraphernalia 
of war, and the regular army discipline and 
drill was enforced. 

The sunrise and sunset guns boomed out 
over the valley every day; the soldiers were 
seen on our streets, while the regimental and 
company drills were watched with interest 
by large crowds of civilians. The fascination 
of brilliant uniforms and the glittering bay- 
onets was strong to the Young America of 
the town. 

Thursday was the great day at "general 
training," and on this day in i860. Major Gen- 
eral John E. Wool, a veteran of the Mexican 
war, was the inspecting officer. Again, in 1865. 
Governor Reuben E. Fenton, with his full 
military staff, gorgeous in uniform and dec- 
orations, was present to review the "gallant 
twenty-ninth." 

The Ballston Cornet Band was the regi- 
mental band, and it was well worth while 
to hear Luther Irish roll out the reveille, the 
retreat and the tattoo, at sunrise, at sunset, 
and "lights out." Col. Calvin T. Peek was 
in command of the regiment for many years, 
and on his resignation in 1867, Adjutant John 
D. Wait was made Colonel. Under a change 
in the organization of the State Militia, the 
regiment was disbanded in 1870. "No Na- 
tional Guard company in Saratoga county 
previous to 1877!" Read the foregoing, Mr. 
Historian. 



( 



A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN. 



The Presidential campaign of i860 was 
the most striking event in the political his- 
tory of the village. Party spirit ran high, 
and Democrats and Republicans vied each 



to outdo the other in enthusiasm for Lincoln 
or Douglas. The Republican "Wide-Awcikes" 
numbered more than two hundred, and the 
Democrat "Little Giants" were equally strong. 
Public meetings were held very frequently, and 
torch-light processions were of almost nightly 
occurrence. 

The Wide-Awakes wore black capes and 
the Little Giants adopted yellow capes. Bails- 
ton also had a company of "Rail-Splitters," 
composed of fifty boys of from twelve to fif- 
teen years. They wore white waists, blue 
caps and red sashes, and carried beetles over 
their shoulders. 

These political clubs visited many towns 
in the county, and took part in mammoth 
torch-light processions in Albany, Troy and 
Schenectady. 

The largest political procession ever seen 
in Saratoga county was that which paraded 
the streets of Ballston Spa on a beautiful 
October evening about ten days before the 
election. Republican "Wide-Awake" clubs 
were present from Albany, Troy, Schenec- 
tady, Mechanicville, Waterford, Stillwater, 
Saratoga Springs, Fort Edward, Sandy Hill, 
Glens Falls and Amsterdam. 

Illuminations were numerous all over the 
village, and as the great parade passed 
through the streets, torches gleaming, bands 
playing, and cheering all along the line, party 
enthusiasm rose to its highest pitch. 

A favorite marching formation was known 
as "the rail fence." In single file the men 
marched in a zig-zag line from one side of 
the street to the other. Looking down Mil- 
ton avenue on this occasion, the marching 
host as far as the eye could reach formed one 
long rail fence of gleaming torches. The 
line reached from High street the entire 
length of Milton avenue, through South street, 
and far up Maple avenue in Bloodville. 
Thirty-five hundred torches were in line, be- 
sides officers and bands of music. 

The largest meeting the Democrats ever held 
in the village was on July 25, i860, to welcome 
Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, one of the Demo- 
cratic candidates for President, and the "Lit- 
tle Giant" of the Northern Democracy. Sen- 
ator Douglas was to speak in Saratoga 
Springs, and promised to make a short speech 
in Ballston on his way to Saratoga. When 
the eminent Senator stepped upon the platform 



178 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



in front of the Sans Souci, he was greeted 
with great enthusiasm by several thousand 
people. Senator Douglas was introduced by 
Judge Scott, and began his speech by saying: 
"I came not to make a political speech but to 
see this pleasant town, and to visit the spot 
where my grandfather erected his house 
seventy years ago." He then spoke at some 
length on questions of the hour, and in clos- 
ing introduced his friend. Governor Foote, 
to the cheering crowd. 

The Senator, with some of his party, then 
visited the house built by his grandfather, 
Benajah Douglas, then a military school, and 
from there was driven to Saratoga. This 



was the only time Senator Douglas ever 
stopped in Ballston. The statement that some 
of his boyhood days were spent with his 
grandfather here, is an error. His father 
was also named Stephen Arnold Douglas, and 
it was he who lived here, as a boy, with his 
father.' 

This was the second Presidential cam- 
paign of the Republican party, organized in 
1854, and the election of Abraham Lincoln 
was hailed with supreme satisfaction by the 
adherents of that party in Ballston Spa. That 
the threat of the South to secede from the 
Union would be carried out, was not, at the 
time, considered possible. 




CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



179 



Celebrations 



THE village of Ballston Spa, during 
the one hundred years that are 
past, has had many celebrations 
commemorative of historic events. 
An account of the more notable ones which 
preceded the magnificent Centennial Celebra- 
tion of the present year, is given in this 
chapter. 

SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN 
INDEPENDENCE. 

The semi-centennial celebration of Ameri- 
can Independence in Ballston Spa, on Tues- 
day, July 4, 1826, surpassed in interest and 
pageantry all the Fourth of July observances 
in Saratoga county that preceded it, or have 
followed it. 

The day was ushered in by the national 
salute from the "trophy gun" captured from 
Burgoyne, and the ringing of the old bell 
hanging in the steeple of Christ church, 
(which was made for the old Dutch church 
in Albany in 1774, and presented by that 
church to Christ church in 1817), and the 
other village bells. 

The most prominent feature of the great 
procession was a car forty-two feet long 
and fourteen feet wide, named the Temple 
of Industry. This was intended to represent 
the industrial development of the country 
during the first half century of the nation's 
life. The car was drawn by thirteen yoke of 
oxen, representing the thirteen original States, 
each yoke in charge of a driver clad in a tow 
frock, and all under the command of Jacob 
Near, of Malta. Upon the car were thirteen 
representatives of that number of branches of 
the mechanical arts plying their vocations. 
Among them were the printer striking off 
semi-centennial odes, the blacksmith with his 
anvil keeping time with the music, the cooper 
making more noise than all the others, and 
Mr. William Van Ness, who while the pro- 
cession was moving, made a pair of shoes 
for the president of the day, Hon. Samuel 



Young, then Speaker of the Assembly, to 
whom they were presented with an appro- 
priate address and response. 

Another interesting feature of the proces- 
sion was a band of thirty-seven Revolution- 
ary veterans, who kept step to the music in a 
way that indicated they had not forgotten 
their military discipline. Jeremiah Pierson, 
a soldier of the Revolution, held aloft the 
Stars and Stripes, Lemuel Wilcox another 
Revolutionary veteran bore a, standard in- 
scribed "Declaration of Independence," and 
another veteran, John Whitehead, bore a 
standard inscribed "Constitution of the United 
States." Another attractive feature was the 
corps of Union Cadets, composed of two fine- 
looking and admirably drilled uniformed com- 
panies from Union College, one commanded 
by Captain Knox and the other by Captain 
Jackson, the senior professor in that institu- 
tion. The corps was under the command of 
Major Holland, the registrar of the college 
and a veteran of the war of 1812. 

The procession moved through the princi- 
pal streets amid the salvos from a brass six- 
pounder captured from Burgoyne, to the 
Baptist church, which stood at the corner of 
Science and Galway streets, on the lot now 
occupied by the railroad water-tank. Hon. 
Samuel Young presided. Prayer was ofifered 
by Rev. Eliphalet Nott, President of Union 
College. The Declaration of Independence 
was read by Anson Brown, a young lawyer 
of the village, who died while Representative 
in the Twenty-sixth Congress. The oration 
was delivered by Hon. John W. Taylor, then 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
His closing remarks were addressed to the 
Revolutionary soldiers, who arose in a body, 
and the scene was quite dramatic. Mr. Tay- 
lor said: 

"Warsioks of the Revolution. — 'You are in the 
midst of posterity.' You stand in our ranks the 
honored survivors of a noble band. Thousands of 
your companions have gone before you to receive 
the patriot's reward. We recognize in you the 



180 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



representatives of departed and of living heroes. 
The shades of Montgomery and Mercer rise to our 
view. Your memories supply the place of many a 
long lost comrade. Suppress those tears. Your 
silvered locks are crowned with a nation's bless- 
ing. You we congratulate, on the manifold causes 
of gratitude and joy which have passed before us. 
To have contributed in your measure to their ac- 
complishment is distinction enough to satisfy the 
highest aspirations of a patriot's bosom. We re- 
joice that your lives, and the life of him who 
in glowing language stated our wrongs, and 
framed that declaration of independence so man- 
fully sustained by your youthful valor, have been 
prolonged to see the glory of our country, and to 
honor its Jubilee. Sanguine as were the hopes 
which in early life marshaled your array, and 
placed you in the front of the battle, no imagina- 
tion could then conceive, no fancy dared then por- 
tray, the national prosperity your eyes have wit- 
nessed. Gathered as you must be, one by one, to 
the great congregation of your companions in 
arms, you will descend to the tomb sustained and 
encouraged by these consolations — that though 
man dies his country lives ; that your bodies, rest- 
ing from their labors, will repose in a land of free- 
dom ; and that j-our sufferings and achievements 
will be held in remembrance by a grateful people, 
until earthly distinctions shall be lost in the 
brighter glory of celestial existence." 

The Union Cadets dined at the Sans Souci 
Hotel, and the toasts were at the Village 
Hotel. Among the regular toasts were the 
following: "John Adams, Thomas Jefferson 
and Charles Carroll of Carrolton, the surviv- 
ing signers of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. As the measure of their days, so is that 
of their fame — overflowing." When this sen- 
timent was uttered it was not known that 
since the sun had risen on the morning of that 
day two of those illustrious patriots had been 
numbered with the dead, leaving Charles Car- 
roll the sole survivor. 

By previous arrangement the cadets marched 
into the room, when the president of the day 
addressed them in highly appropriate and 
complimentary terms. Major Holland re- 
sponded, reading from a manuscript in the 
familiar handwriting of Dr. Nott: 

"Gentlemen, — In behalf of the corps I have the 
honor to command, permit me to tender their ac- 
knowledgments for your polite attentions. If our 
humble exertions to aid in the duties of the day 
have met the approbation of the patriotic assem- 
blage it is the highest gratification we can receive. 
In retiring, permit me to propose as a toast: The 
county of Saratoga — its hills, monuments of valor; 
its springs, resorts of fashion ; its hamlets, sig- 
nalized by patriots and statesmen." 

Union College and its distinguished pres- 



ident were complimented by two of the alumni 
as follows : By Thomas Palmer, Esq. : "Union 
College : Crevit, Crescit, Crescat." By Anson 
Brown, Esq. : ".The president of Union Col- 
lege : Dignum laude virum musa vetal mori." 

If these sentiments were not duly appre- 
ciated by all present, the following was ex- 
pressed in such plain, unmistakable English, 
that there was no doubt as to its meaning. 
By Edward Watrous, Esq. : "The Legitimates 
of Europe: May they be yoked, poked, and 
hopped, cross-fettered, tied hand and foot, 
and turned out to browse on the pine plains 
of old Saratoga." 

The committee of arrangements consisted 
of James Merrill, David Cory, William Clark, 
John Dix, Jerry Penfield, Charles Field, Alex- 
ander Russell, Robert Bennett, Roswell 
Herrick, David F. White, George W. Fish, 
Hiram Middlebrook, Joseph Barker, David 
Herrick, Sylvester Blood, Samuel R. Gar- 
rett and Abraham Middlebrook. The general 
manager of this superb celebration was Ly- 
man B. Langworthy, then sheriff of the 
county. 

FOURTH OF JULY IN BALLSTON SP.\ AND SAR.\- 
TOGA SPRINGS IN 184O. 

The Fourth of July in 1840 was celebrated 
by the Sunday Schools of this village and 
Saratoga Springs uniting in an appropriate 
observance of Independence Day. At ten 
o'clock in the forenoon, the Baptist Presby- 
terian, Methodist and Episcopal schools of 
Saratoga Springs assembled at the Baptist 
Church, where a procession was formed, and 
they marched to the Presb}'terian Church, 
where appropriate exercises were held. The 
church was crowded, and many were unable 
to gain admission. Prayer was made by Rev. 
Joshua Fletcher, pastor of the Baptist Church ; 
Gideon M. Davison read the Declaration of 
Independence, and Rev. Albert Chester of 
the Presbyterian Church delivered the ad- 
dress. 

The services at the church being concluded, 
the procession re-formed, and marched to the 
grounds of Chancellor Walworth, where the 
schools from Ballston Spa, several himdred 
in number, awaited them, having arrived by 
train. Refreshments were served for the en- 
tire company in the grove which surrounded 
the residence of the chancellor. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



181 



The schools of both villages then marched 
to the railroad station, and were conveyed 
to Ballston Spa in two special trains. Ar- 
riving in Ballston the schools again formed 
in line and marched to the Baptist Church at 
the head of Front street, where they listened 
to a very happy address by Rev. Norman Fox, 
pastor of the Church. Rev. Daniel Stewart, 
of the Presbyterian Church assisted in the 
services. 

The children then walked to the residence 
of Mr. Stephen Smith, now the residence of 
Hon. H. J. Donaldson, on Pleasant street, 
where refreshments were again served, after 
which the Saratoga schools returned home 
by train, reaching Saratoga about five o'clock. 

MONUMENT TO SOLDIERS OF MEXICAN WAR. 

The first soldiers' monument in Ballston 
Spa was erected in memory of the volunteers 
from this village who lost their lives in the 
war with Mexico, 1846-48. The monument 
was dedicated on Wednesday, October 25, 
1848, with appropriate ceremonies, a heavy 
rain preventing the dedication on October 19, 
the anniversary of the surrender of Burgoyne. 

The procession formed in front of the 
Village Hotel on Front street at one o'clock, 
in the following order : Colonel Thomas Low, 
Marshal; the Ballston Band; the Saratoga 
Independent Artillery ; the returned veterans 
of the war, William H. ]\IcKittrick, Seneca 
Shepard, Nicholas Armstrong, Andrew Arm- 
strong, Hiram Ford, Wilber Palmer, and 
James Porter. Leading this file of war scarred 
veterans was William McKittrick, bearing 
aloft our country's banner, wreathed in mourn- 
ing. Then followed relatives and friends of 
the fallen heroes ; the village clergy ; Franklin 
Lodge, F. & A. M. ; Kayaderosseras Lodge, 
I. O. O. F. ; Eagle Fire Company, No. i ; 
and a large number of citizens. The 
procession marched to the shop of O. D. 
Vaughn, and from there escorted the monu- 
ment to the village cemetery, where it was 
erected with simple ceremonies, the prayer 
being offered by Rev. Norman Fox. 

The monument is a white marble obelisk, 
and beneath the slab was deposited a basin 
hermetically sealed, containing the subscrip- 
tion book with the signatures of all those who 
aided in its erection, and a short biographical 
sketch of each of the volunteers. 

From the cemetery the procession returned 



to the Court House, where an eloquent oration 
was delivered by M. K. Booth, Esq., orator of 
the day. The oration was a magnificent effort, 
and the speaker was warmly congratulated. 
There was also singing by the Ballston Spa 
Glee Club. 

The following are the inscriptions on the 
monument : 

"Erected by the citizens of Ballston Spa and 
vicinity October 19, 1848." On the east side : "James 
Schermerhorn of Co. F. gth Reg't, U. S. Infny. 
Born at B. Spa July i, 1827. Died at Pachuca, 
Mexico, March 9, 1848. Contreras, Churubusco, 
Moline Del Rey, Chapultepec." West side: "Ran- 
som B. Pettit, of Comp'y H, 2d Regt. N. Y. Volun- 
teers. Born at B. Spa June 25, 1827. Died at 
Puebla, Me.xico, Oct. 19, 1847. Vera Cruz, Cerro 
Gordo." North side: Alvin Luther of Comp. A, ist 
Regt. U. S. Art'y. Born at B. Spa June 4, 1810. 
Died on the Rio Grande April 4, 1848." South side: 
"Hiram Smith of Comp'y E, 3d Regt. U. S. Dra- 
goons. Born at B. Spa Aug. 8, 1830. Died at 
Perote. Mexico, Oct. 23, 1847." 

GREAT TEMPERANCE CELEBRATION. 

One of the greatest gatherings ever known 
in the village was the temperance celebration 
on Tuesday, August 21, 1849. Eight thou- 
sand people were present. There was a 
parade in the forenoon of Sons of Temper- 
ance, Rechabites and Daughters of Temper- 
ance. Col. Thomas Low, of Charlton, at the 
time sheriff of the county, was Marshal, and 
the procession marched through the principal 
streets, led by the Troy Arsenal U. S. Band, 
to the grove in the north part of the village. 

The meeting was called to order by Dr. 
William J. Clark, the founder of the first 
temperance society in the United States, at 
Morean, in April, 1808. 

Addresses were delivered, and dinner 
served to the temperance organizations, in 
the grove. The Journal said : "We can safely 
say this was the greatest temperance celebra- 
tion ever witnessed in this or any other sec- 
tion of country." 

THE SABBATH SCHOOL CELEBRATION. 

[From the Ballston Journal, Sept. 18, 184V.] 

The Sabbath School Celebration, which 
took place in this village on last Thursday, 
as we predicted, was a splendid and interest- 
ing gathering. About nine o'clock in the 
morning, the scholars from the difl'erent 
schools in the county were thronging our 
streets, and the thousands of little bright faces, 
wreathed with smiles and glowing with in- 
nocence, told that it would be an interesting 



182 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



time. About ten o'clock the procession formed 
(the largest ever witnessed in this county) 
and marched to the grove, where as many 
as could be were seated. The meeting was 
then called to order by the Rev. Mr. Starks 
(Methodist) of this village. The exercises 
were then opened by prayer by the Rev. Mr. 
Chester of Saratoga Springs, and singing by 
the choir, assisted by the thousands of scholars 
present. 

The audience was then addressed by the 
Rev. Mr. Miller, of Troy, who was followed 
by the Rev. Mr. Warren of the same place. 
Both of the speakers gave very appropriate 
addresses, much to the satisfaction of all pres- 
ent. After singing again by the choir, 
(which, by the way, was performed admira- 
bly) the audience was again addressed by 
John B. Gough the distinguished temper- 
ance lecturer. His reputation as a speaker 
is too well-known to need a passing remark 
by us. The number present on this occasion 
was estimated by good judges of such mat- 
ters to be 10,000. It was the largest gath- 
ering ever witnessed in this part of the state, 
and certainly the most interesting sight we 
ever witnessed. The occasion we have no 
doubt will long be remembered by parents, 
teachers, pupils, and all present, and will be 
the means of giving a new impetus to the Sab- 
bath School cause. 

MASONIC. 

Franklin Lodge, No. 90, and the Masonic 
fraternity of this vicinity celebrated the cen- 
tennial anniversary of the initiation of George 
Washington into the fraternity, on Thurs- 
day, November 4, 1852, by a public proces- 
sion in the afternoon, followed by an address, 
and a grand ball in the evening at the Village 
Hotel (now Medbery's). The Masons ap- 
peared in the full regalia appertaining to their 
rank. The Ballston Cornet Band furnished 
the music, and the streets were crowded while 
the procession was passing. The committee 
in charge of the celebration was composed of 
Brothers Abel Meeker, Henry White, George 
Babcock, John J. Lee and N. H. Husted. 

THE STATE ARMORY LAYING OF THE CORNER 

STONE. 
[From the Ballston Journal, Aug. 31, 1858.] 

"The corner stone of the State Armory in 
this village was laid on Thursday last, with 



appropriate ceremonies. The line formed on 
High street, headed by Col. C. T. Peek and 
the staff officers of the Twenty-ninth Regi- 
ment, Captain Hammond's company, the 
Peek National Guards, of this village, and 
Captain Vandenburgh's company, the Black 
Plumed Riflemen, of Stillwater. The Balls- 
ton Spa Band headed the Peek National 
Guards, and Drew's Band headed the Rifle- 
men. The procession marched through some 
of the principal streets of the village, and 
reached the ground about noon, where Col. 
Wm. T. Odell, president of the day, made a 
few well-timed and eloquent remarks, and 
performed the ceremony of laying the corner- 
stone, depositing in the stone a list of the mil- 
itary officers of the State, of this Division and 
Brigade; also a list of the officers and mem- 
bers of the 29th Regiment, the civil officers 
of the county, and the village of Ballston Spa, 
together with a copy of each of the village 
papers. 

"After the ceremonies at the Armory were 
concluded, the citizens and military repaired 
to the grove, where John C. Booth, Esq., de- 
livered the oration. It was one of the most 
eloquent and appropriate addresses we have 
listened to in a long time, and received the 
highest praise from all who heard it. Hon. 
J. M. Cook and Judge McKean were called 
and made a few humorous remarks, which 
were received with great applause. 

"After the speaking, the military and their 
guests sat down to a dinner which had pre- 
viously been prepared, and — well, we will say 
no more on this subject, for soldiers who have 
traveled all day know how to manage such 
matters themselves. 

"The day was fine, and the affair passed off 
very pleasantly. Between two and three thou- 
sand persons were present on the occasion." 

THE CENTENNIAL FOURTH. 

On the fourth day of July, 1776, the Con- 
tinental Congress sat in session in Philadel- 
phia. Thomas Jefferson had brought in the 
Declaration of Independence, and despite 
sharp debate on some minor points, it was easy 
to see that its unanimous passage -would soon 
follow. It was resolved to announce the 
event by ringing the old state-house bell, 
which bore the inscription: "Proclaim lib- 
erty to the land: and to all the inhabitants 
thereof!" The old bellman, accordingly. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



183 



placed his little grandson at the door of the 
hall, to await the instruction of the door- 
keeper when to ring; and when the word was 
given, the patriot-scion rushed out, and fling- 
ing up his hands, shouted, "Ring, ring, ring." 

"And straightway at the signal. 

The old bellman lifts his hand, 

And sends the good news, making 

Iron music through the land. 

"How they shouted ! What rejoicing ! 
How the old bell shook the air. 
Till the clang of freedom ruffled 
The calm-gliding Delaware ! 

"How the bon-fires and the torches 
Illumed the night's repose, 
And from the flames, like Phoenix 
Fair Liberty arose I 

"That old bell now is silent. 

And hushed its iron tongue, 
But the spirit it awakened 
Still lives, — forever young." 

The Quaker city was not left to rejoice 
alone at the new-made freedom of a people. 
The response from every side secured that 
freedom, and the spirit of that first Fourth, 
transmitted from father to son perpetuated 
it, till, on the one hundredth anniversary the 
bells rang and the cannon boomed in every 
place from the Atlantic to the Pacific; from 
the pine-clad hills of Maine to the blue waters 
of the Gulf. 

The centennial celebration in Ballston Spa 
on July 4, 1876, was worthy of the occasion. 
There may have been more imposing and ex- 
tensive demonstrations elsewhere, but in no 
place was the celebration entered into with 
more heartiness and general interest. 

Monday evening, July 3, was the most 
brilliant one ever witnessed in the village. 
The moon was out in its brightest sheen, as 
if to add lustre to the magnificent illustrations 
which were displayed in every street. The 
numerous and ingenious devices which met 
the eye drew forth expressions of surprise and 
admiration from the thousands who passed 
up and down the streets, taking into view all 
the splendors which made the night glorious. 
Referring to the decorations the Ballston 
Democrat said : "On all sides it was freely 
acknowledged that our neighbors of the Balls- 
ton Journal bore off the palm in the extent 
and beauty of their illuminated decorations, 
conspicuous in which was a representation of 



the "Independence bell" flanked on either 
side by the "Star of Liberty" and the "Star 
Spangled Banner." 

Among the ringing bells which ushered in 
the first hour of the nations' second century, 
was that of Christ Church, noted for its pe- 
culiar tone as well as for its history. Previous 
to 1776 it was the only church bell in the city 
of Albany, hanging in the tower of the old 
Dutch Church at the foot of State street. It 
was made to ring out glad peals in that city 
on the 19th day of July, 1776, the day on 
which Albanians first listened to the public 
reading of the Declaration of Independence. 
It bears this inscription : "Benj. Whitear — 
Sharon — in 1774. This bell is made for the 
high Jermon (German) Church — Albani." 
By that church it was presented to Christ 
Church in 1817. In 1826, at the half century, 
when the Fourth was celebrated here with 
more pomp and ceremony than ever before, 
it gave forth its distinctive clang right joyfully 
amid the sharp sounds of neighboring bells. 

At sunrise the national salute boomed out 
over the village. At ten o'clock the procession 
was formed, and led by the Ballston Band, 
marched through the principal streets, dis- 
persing at the Sans Souci. 

At half past twelve the assembled thousands 
gathered in the court yard of the Sans Souci. 
After music by the band, and singing by a 
male quartet, prayer was offered by Rev. 
George W. Brown, of the Methodist Church. 
T. F. Hamilton, Esq., read the Declaration of 
Independence. This was followed by the 
Historical Address by Judge George G. Scott. 
At half-past three a century tree was planted 
near the spring at the west end of Front 
street, at which time Hon. J. S. L'Amoreairx 
delivered the centennial oration. At five 
o'clock the ancient and honorable Filibusters 
entered the town, and their astounding parade 
added greatly to the renown of other years. 
In the evening there was a grand display of 
fire works in front of the Sans Souci. 

The Ballston Journal closed its account of 
the celebration with this prophesy: "An- 
other chapter in the history of our famous 
village is thus brought to a close. The next 
centennial chapter will be that of the Foun- 
tain City of the World, with its centre at 
Geyser Springs, and its circumference drawn 
by a radius of at least seven miles." 




i8o7 



1907 



ONE HUNDREDTH 
ANNIVERSARY 
OF THE VILLAGE 
OF BALLSTON SPA 

— NEW YORK — 

June Twenty-Second 
to June Twenty-Fifth 

NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVEN 



SOUVENIR PROGRAMME 



I'ac-Miiiili' iif Title I'age of the Ceritciinial rrogiamme. The picture of the Sans Souci 
is printed from the original wood cut made in 1S04. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



185 



The Centennial 



THE village of Ballston Spa was in- 
corporated JNIarch 21, 1807, and in 
commemoration of that event the 
village trustees held a meeting at 
"Brookside," the home of Trustee William S. 
Waterhury, on Thursday, March 21, 1907, at 
five o'clock in the afternoon. 

"Brookside" in 1807, and for many years 
thereafter, was known as the "Aldridge 
House." The proprietor, Joshua B. Aldridge, 
was a member of the first board of village 
trustees, and the first meeting of this Board 
was held in this house at five o'clock in the 
afternoon of June 6, 1807. 

Trustee Waterbury had invited the trus- 
tees to hold a centennial meeting in this his- 
toric place, and promptly at five o'clock, as 
the village bells rang out the old and rang in 
the new, and the whistles from every factory 
proclaimed in shrill tones the beginning of the 
second century of village life, \'illage Presi- 
dent Irving W. Wiswall called the meeting 
to order. 

The minutes of the board of trustees con- 
tain the following record of this historic 
meeting : 

"Adjourned meeting of the board of trustees of 
the village of Ballston Spa, N. Y., held March 21, 
1907, at five o'clock P. M. 

"Present: Irving W. Wiswall, president; John 
Corning, Hugh S. Finley, George W. Miller, Nel- 
son F. Pitts. Leander Spicer, William S. Water- 
bury, trustees. 

"Minutes of meeting held March 2ist, 1807, read. 
President Wiswall said, 'these are the minutes of 
the last mealing held in this house, and if there 
are no objections, they stand approved as read.' 
No objections. 

"Continuing, Mr. Wiswall said ; 'Before we 
proceed with the business of this meeting I wish, 
on behalf of the board of trustees and others to 
thank our host and hostess for their courtesy in 
making this meeting possible. We stand in a his- 
toric spot, the most hallowed and sacred in the 
village of Ballston Spa. C3n we realize that under 
this same roof and within the confines of these 
same walls, the first board of trustees met? A 
strange thing it is that the first resolution by that 



board pertained to the same subject as the com- 
plex problem that has taken up the attention of 
the board for several years past ; the matter of 
building sewers and drains.' 

"Mr. Wiswall spoke of the fact that the first 
meeting of the board 'was held in this house on 
June 6, 1807, and that the present meeting was 
held, not in commemoration of the first board 
meeting, but of the passing of the Act of Incor- 
poration. 

" 'It seems to me,' remarked the president, 'that 
this meeting should be but a preliminary of a large 
celebration, and that the officials and ex-otTicials 
present should take some action to properly cele- 
brate the centennial.' 

"Mr. Wiswall spoke of the growth of the vil- 
lage in its early history as a summer resort the 
first in the land, when large numbers of highly 
notable people came here to spend the summer 
and drink of the health-giving springs. He also 
called attention to many interesting things to be 
found in the book of minutes of the trustees in 
the early part of the past century, reading a num- 
ber of selections from the minutes. 

"Mr. Waterbury read a number of selections 
from Fenimore Cooper's 'Last of the Mohicans,' 
in which he spoke of the village. 

"Mr. Waterbury offered the following resolu- 
tion : 

" 'Resolved, That the highway in the village 
of Ballston Spa, beginning on the west side of 
Charlton street, at the foot of Front street, and 
leading westerly and northerly to Prospect street, 
be hereby named and hereafter known as Aldridge 
Road, in honor of Joshua B. Aldridge, one of the 
first trustees of the village — elected one hundred 
years ago, and through whose property the high- 
way was laid.' Adopted. 

"Mr. James F. Peckham, the oldest former 
trustee present, gave some reminiscences. 

"Former president, Stephen C. Medbery, called 
attention to the fact that the second meeting of 
the board of trustees, when the first ordinance was 
adopted, was held at the house of his grandfather, 
William Clark. Former president, Abijah Com- 
stock also spoke in an interesting manner. 

"Trustee Miller spoke very feelingly of the 
honor he felt it to be to belong to the board of 
trustees at this time, and his high appreciation of 
the courtesy of Trustee Waterbury and Mrs. Wa- 
terbury in inviting the board to assemble at their 
home. 

"Charles H. Grose, a former clerk of the vil- 
lage, and proprietor of the Ballston Journal, made 
some very interesting remarks. 



186 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



"Just at tliis time the telephone rang, and on 
returning from answering the call, Trustee Wa- 
terbury remarked: 'i have just received congratu- 
lations to the village fathers from one of the 
village mothers,' and in explanation he stated that 
the message was from Mrs. O. D. Vaughn, whose 
late lamented husband was a trustee of the village 
in 1852. 

"Luncheon was served by Mrs. W. S. Water- 
bury, assisted by Mrs. I. W. Wiswall and Miss 
Madelia Waterbury, while little Misses Helen Wa- 
terbury and Mary Kerley helped. 

"Mr. Miller moved that a vote of thanks be ex- 
tended to the hostess, saying: 'On behalf of the 
president and trustees, and others present, we do 
most heartily thank our hostess, who has so de- 
lightfully served us.' 

"The meeting was adjourned with the guests 
personally greeting Mrs. Waterbury, Mrs. Wis- 
wall and Miss Waterbury, in leaving the historic 
residence after a most delightful time. 

"Those present were: President Irving W. 
Wiswall ; Trustees John Corning, Hugh S. Fin- 
ley, George W. Miller, Nelson F. Pitts, Leander 
Spicer, and William S. Waterbury; Clerk Wil- 
liam H. Sherman; Street Commissioner John S. 
Ryan; Village Treasurer Charles O. McCreedy, 
Jr.; village policemen. Chief James J. O'Brien, 
Officers Terence Buckley and James E. Conner; 
former village presidents Stephen C. Medbery, 
Charles O. McCreedy, Sr., Abijah Comstock, Al- 
fred N. Wiley and Thomas Finley; former trustee 
James F. Peckham; former treasurer Thomas 
Kerley; former clerk Charles H. Grose; former 
street commissioner George M. Hoyt; press repre- 
sentatives Arthur Mathers and Benjamin S. 
Henry of the Journal, Richard C. Anzer, George 
W. Ralph and William J. Burnham of the News. 
"William H. Sherman, Clerk." 

During the meeting Trustee Waterbury said 
that he was sorry not to have present the only 
trustee now living who served during the 
first half century of the history of the village, 
Stephen B. Medbery. Mr. Medbery expected 
to be present, but was taken sick and was un- 
able to attend. 

Former trustee James F. Peckham said that 
he remembered the village when it was a rural 
hamlet, and that he grew up with it and had 
known most of the public men personally 
who had been born and lived here. "My 
grandfather settled here," said Mr. Peckham, 
"and I, as a boy, have visited this house manv 
times. My grandmother has often told me 
of seeing the deer come in large numbers to 
drink at the spring." 

Former village clerk Charles H. Grose, 
proprietor of the Ballston Journal said: "It 
is very fitting that we should meet under this 
roof that sheltered the first board of trustees 



at its first meeting, and it is an interesting 
coincidence that the present owner of this 
historic residence should also be a member 
of the present board of trustees. The Jour- 
nal is one hundred and nine years old, and in 
its issue of the week of the incorporation and 
of the first meeting of the board without doubt 
called attention to those interesting events. 
The Journal to-day contains the names of the 
first board of trustees, and also those of the 
last, the present board, and I take pleasure in 
presenting to each member of the board a 
copy of the centennial number of the Journal." 

At the close of the proceedings President 
Wiswall said that he thought no definite 
action should be taken at this time in relation 
to a proper celebration of the centennial, but 
that he would call a public meeting to be held 
at Odd Fellows Hall some evening of the 
next week. 

The following call was issued by President 
Wiswall : 

"centennial mass meeting." 

"Pursuant to a resolution passed by the Board 
of Trustees, and in response to a request made by 
many of the citizens of Ballston Spa, a meeting of 
the citizens will be held at Odd Fellows Hall on 
Friday evening, at 7.30 o'clock, for the purpose of 
discussing and formulating a plan for a suitable cel- 
ebration of the one hundredth anniversary of our 
village. 

"It is hoped that the civic pride of our citizens 
will be stirred to action on this occasion, and that 
all persons having the welfare of their village at 
heart will attend the meeting. 

"There are but very few villages in the State of 
of New York that can boast of a hundred years of 
municipal government. Let us have a celebration, 
that shall be dignified, impressive and glorious, one 
in which our fair village shall be honored, and of 
which our citizens shall feel justly proud. 

"Irving W. Wiswall, President." 

CENTENNIi^.L ASSOCIATION. 

Pursuant to the call of the village president 
about two hundred representative men of the 
village assembled in Odd Fellows Hall Friday 
evening, March 29. President Wiswall pre- 
sided and George T. Cunningham was secre- 
tary of the meeting. 

President Wiswall, in opening the meeting, 
suggested that the most practical plan and the 
one best calculated to insure a successful cele- 
bration was the forming of a Centennial As- 
sociation. The meeting adopted the sugges- 
tion, and the following committee was ap- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



187 



pointed to report By-Laws, and nominate 
ofEcers: Edward S. Coons, John H. Burke, 
Charles Coleman, Walter H. Wiley and 
Charles Schwarz. 

While awaiting the report of the commit- 
tee a general discussion as to the celebration, 
and the character it should assume was had. 

The committee made the following report : 



This Association shall be called the Ballston Spa 
Centennial Association. 

It shall consist of a president, vice-presidents, sec- 
retary, treasurer and executive committee, and the 
president shall be chairman ex-officio of said com- 
mittee. 

Any citizen of the village shall be eligible to mem- 
bership in the Association. 

The object of the society shall be to provide ways 
and means for a suitable celebration of the one hun- 
dredth anniversary of the village of Ballston Spa. 

The executive committee shall have the general 
management of the celebration subject to the ap- 
proval of the Association. 

OFFICERS. 

President — Irving W. Wiswall. 

Treasurer — Thomas Kerley. 

Secretary — A. I. Thayer. 

Vice-Presidents — Andrew S. BoQth, J. S. L'Amor- 
eaux, Stephen B. Medbery, James F. Peckham, Har- 
vey J. Donaldson, Rev. B. J. McDonough, Rev. H. S. 
Rowe, Rev. J. W. Hegeman, Rev. A. B. Potter, Rev. 
Arthur T. Young, James W. Verbeck, Thomas Fin- 
ley, H. H. Ferris, John R. Shepard, William H. 
Knickerbacker, George H. West, Charles O. Mc- 
Creedy, Sr., Alfred N. Wiley, E. S. Lawrence, Geo. 
R. Beach, Horace E. McKnight, Abijah Comstock, 
Gen. J. B. Babcock, Osgood H. Shepard, Charles P. 
Rooney, Theodore S. Haight, H. Vassar Haight, 
Samuel Smith, Frank R. Wilson, D. L. Wood, Henry 
C. Hale, Braman Ayers, Dr. F. J. Sherman, Dr. J. 
T. Sweetman, Jr., Dr. Collins, C. W. Eede, William 
Boyce, Samuel Bowen, John Vandenburg, Charles 
Jarvis, James A. Burnham, Elmer Kemp, Lester 
King, George Hoyt, Washington Bentley, William 
Whalen, Thomas Kelly, D. V. G. Curtis, John Pow- 
ers, Samuel Gould, William Ryan, Michael Fitzpat- 
rick, George Southcott, James Painter, Sr., Jesse 
Charboneau, Henry Haight, Magnus Schwarz, Louis 
Schwarz, Frank H. Brown, Vedder Gervin, Charles 
L. Brown, Hyman Frank, J. S. Wooley, James 
Chalice, Arthur Mathers, Charles P. Rooney, Dr. T. 
C. Royal, Mitchell Stark, C. D. Sickler, Douw F. 
Winney, William Namack, Dr. J. R. Cornell, Dr. W. 
H. Tibbetts, Dr. C. E. Foote, A. Schwinler, William 
Wagar, Beecher Hall, Frank D. Groat, S. C. Shaef- 
fer, Alexander B. Morrison, Fred J. Rooney, Her- 
bert B. Massey, Charles Frerkson, Charles E. Mas- 
sey, Dennis Manogtie, Louis Henry, Simon Mc- 
Carty, Lacy King, Moses Forbes, William Corning, 
John Mooney, Albert Van Arnem, William Jones, 



John McNamara, Richard Cunningham, Dr. Horatio 
Craig, Charles Massey, Edward Brooks, William 
Mooney, Thomas Coulson, Tracy Nichols, John 
Daly, William Burdick, William Dower, Charles 
Bremer, Charles Baker, Albert Miller, Abijah War- 
ner, Patrick Brady, R. B. Godfrey, Frank Playford, 
Gilbert McFarland, Frank Larkin, James Haywood, 
Edward DcCora, James Riley, Patrick Morrissey, 
Walter Furlong, William Lawrence, Michael Heeney, 
William Flaherty, Adelbert Armstrong, George Tib- 
betts, Joseph McKinnon, Dr. J. B. MacNeil, Louis 
Wait, Michael Sheehy, George Ashton, John Rey- 
nolds, C. N. Mead, Christopher Herzog, Frank 
Cook, David Frisbie, W. A. Ten Eyck, Charles Hall, 
Luke Bouchard, John Dohig, James Munn, William 
Cahill, Thomas Dymond, Chauncey Irish, William 
McCarty, George Webster, W. O. Sweet, Sarsfield 
Egan, John Lahey, John Hennessy, Michael Griffin, 
William Furlong, Lawrence Gorman, Louis Guertin, 
John Mongeau, Michael Fagan, Charles Fortin, Geo. 
McDonough, Edward Bushj James Kerley, Cornelius 
Jackson, Thomas Duffy, J. L. Tracy, John O'Brien, 
John Dower, Henry Lowry, Timothy Driscoll, Ter- 
rence Finley, Daniel Kelly, Ray Dennin, John Burns. 
E.xecutive Committee — President. Secretary, Treas- 
urer and William S. Waterbury, Hugh Finley, John 
Corning, George W. Miller, Leander Spicer, Nelson 
F. Pitts, Stephen C. Medbery, John H. Burke, Fred- 
erick J. Wheeler, Charles H. Grose, Edward S. 
Coons, James J. O'Brien, George West, William H. 
Quinn, George M. Cook, James E. Conner, Grant 
Gould, Burton D. Esmond, Daniel Furlong, Fred- 
erick H. Beach, W. W. Brown, James H. Humphrey, 
T. D. Coulson, Charles Foss, R. C. Anzer, C. O. Mc- 
Creedy, Jr.. A. J. Freeman, Charles Coleman, H. C. 
Westcot. W. J. Aumack, E. F. Grose, George T. 
Cunningham, G. S. McCreedy, W. H. Wiley, Frank 
Holmes, Joseph Mason, John N. Hutchins, Paul 
Kyack, Robert L. Carter, John L. Powers, Frank D. 
Winney. Michael Sheehy, A. A. Lavery, Irwin Es- 
mond, William Rooney. 

At a meeting of the Executive Committee 
held in the parlors of Eagle Fire Compaiiy, 
No. I, it was decided to hold the Centennial 
in June, from the 22nd to the 25th. The fol- 
lowing committees were appointed to have 
charge of the several features of the cele- 
bration : 

Advisory Committee— Irving W. Wiswall, Dr. A. 
I. Thayer, John H. Burke, Frederick J. Wheeler, 
Stephen C. Medbery, Andrew J. Freeman, George 
W. Miller, John Corning, William J. Aumack. 

Finance Committee— Stephen C. Medbery, Edward 
S. Coons, Charles O. McCreedy, Jr., George West, 
William Rooney, Frederick H. Beach, James E. 
Conners, William H. Quinn, James H. Humphrey. 

Literary Committee — Burton D. Esmond, Edward 
F. Grose^ Walter H. Wiley. William Rooney, Wil- 
liam S. Waterbury, A. I. Thayer, John H, Burke, 
W. C. Anzer. Grant Gould. 

Parade Committee — Irwin Esmond, A. A. Lavery, 



188 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



James J. O'Brien, Nelson F. Pitts, George M. Cook, 
George T. Cunningham, Daniel Furlong, Charles H. 
Grose, Hugh Finley. 

Home Coming Committee — William S. Waterbury, 
Robert L. Carter, Joseph Mason, Frank D. Winney, 
Herbert C. Westcot, Gordon S. McCreedy, William 
A. Mehan, Michael Sheehy. 

Reception Committee — Harvey J. Donaldson, chair- 
man ; Judge J. S. L'Amoreaux, Andrew S. Booth, 
William H. Knickerbacker, Osgood H. Shepard, 
Horace E. McKnight, George H. West, Stephen B. 
Medbery, James F. Peckham, Rev. B. J. McDonough, 
Rev. H. S. Rowe, Rev. J. W. Hegeman, Rev. Arthur 
T. Young, Rev. A. B. Potter, James W. Verbeck, H. 
H. Ferris, John R. Shepard, C. O. McCreedy, Sr., 
George F. Clapp, A. N. Wiley, E. S. Lawrence, F. J. 
Sherman, Jr., George R. Beach, Abijah Comstock, 
Gen. J. B. Babcock, Charles Rooney, Theodore S. 
Haight, H. Vassar Haight, Samuel Smith, Frank R. 
Wilson. Thomas Finley, Edward L. Smith, Roland 
W. Smith, Henry C. Hale, R. B. Castree, Hugh Wha- 
len, Henry Shaeffer, George T. Smith, Charles Cole- 
man, Leander Spicer, W. O. Sweet, Charles Van 
Buren, Paul Kyack, Francis Holmes, John L. 
Powers. 

Ladies' Committee — Miss Mary Moore, Miss 
Rhoda Thompson, Miss Sarah L. Sargent, Miss Mary 
Leach, Mrs. Frances L. McLean, Mrs. Samuel Smith, 
Mrs. Andrew Smith, Mrs. Thomas Finley, Mrs. W. 
H. Knickerbacker, Mrs. George E. Knox, Mrs. H. A. 
Shaeffer, Mrs. Charles Foss, Mrs. J. F. Hennessey. 
Mrs. W. S. Waterbury, Mrs. Emily West, Mrs. H. j. 
Donaldson, Mrs. Walter H. West, Mrs. George C. 
Beecher, Mrs. Annie Aldrich, Mrs. James W. Ver- 
beck, Mrs. George West, Jr., Mrs. W. H. McKittrick, 
Mrs. F. H. Beach. Mrs. Hugh Whalen, Mrs. Theo- 
dore S. Haight, Mrs. H. Vassar Haight, Mrs. Geo. 
H. West. Mrs. John H. Burke, Mrs. Dennis Ma- 
nogue, Mrs. F. J. Sherman, Mrs. H. E. McKnight. 
Mrs. Emma W. Sherwood, Mrs. Mary L. Diehl, 
Mrs. James H. Humphrey, Mrs. C. W. Eede, Mrs. A. 
J. Fenton, Mrs. A. H. Van Arnum, Mrs. A. A. 
Hemphill, Mrs. J. S. Wooley, Mrs. H. Frank, Mrs. 
H. H. Ferris, Mrs. W. O. Sweet. Mrs. S. A. Egan, 
Mrs. J. T. Sweetman, Jr., Mrs. F. H. Brown, IMrs. 
C. E. Fitcham, Mrs. Thomas Kerley. Mrs. S. C. 
Medbery, Mrs. H. J. Medbery, Mrs. W. J. Redmond, 
Mrs. Frank C. Herrick. Mrs. Nathaniel Montrose, 
Mrs. Gordon S. McCreedy, Mrs. J. J. Tracy, Mrs. 
Lacy King, Mrs. N. F. Pitts, Mrs. Myron F. Sim- 
mons, Mrs. Frederick J. Wheeler, Mrs. Seth S. 
Whalen, Mrs. Irwin Esmond, Mrs. John Corning, 
Mrs. E. J. Briggs, Mrs. William Corning, Mrs, D. L. 
Wood, Mrs. Samuel Gould, Mrs. George W. Gard- 
ner, ?\Irs. Henry Crippen, Mrs. William H. Quinn, 
Mrs. Rush H. Young, Mrs. Vedder Gervin, Mrs. 
Peter A. Gilchrist, Mrs. Michael Keeney, Mrs. John 
H. Westcot, Mrs. P. Piatt Williams, Mrs. Margaret 
Powell. Mrs. Eliza Cunningham, Mrs. B. D. Esmond, 
Mrs. H. A. Mann, Mrs. J. F. Peckham, Mrs. N. R. 
Vandenburgh, Mrs. E. S. Coons, Mrs. J. S. L'Am- 
oreaux, Mrs. George R. Beach, Mrs. S. E. E^tabrook, 
Mrs. E. F. Grose, Mrs. C. H. Grose, Mrs. Fred 
Armer, Mrs. James P. Kelley, Mrs. Ellen Carlin, Mrs. 



Louis Schwarz, Mrs. O. D. Vaughn, Mrs. George 
C. Valentine, Mrs. Francis J. Kline, Mrs. W. J. 
Burnham, Mrs. George T. Cunningham, Mrs. Neil 
Gilmour, Mrs. J. A. Raymond, Mrs. Leander Spicer, 
Mrs. Charles Frerkson, Mrs. J. R. Cornell, Mrs. 
Jane Sherman, Mrs. Matthew Bunyan, Mrs. J. J. 
Mooney, Mrs. R. N. Garrett, Mrs. F. J. Rooney, Mrs. 
Arthur Mathers, Mrs. William Feeney, Mrs. F. D. 
Groat, Mrs. William Clements, Mrs. B. L. Cole, 
Mrs. Walter Furlong. 

THE PROGRAMME. 

The following admirable programme was 
arranged for the four days' observance of the 
centennial : 

Saturday, June 22. — Afternoon: Athletic sports 
on the Fair Ground, under the auspices of the Health 
and Strength Club of Ballston Spa. Evening: 
Home welcome and re-union on "Mohican Hill," at 
Brookside. 

Sunday, June 23. — Commemorative services and re- 
unions in each of the churches, with sermons and 
addresses by former pastors. 

Monday, June 24. — Fraternal Day. — All society 
and lodge rooms, the churches, the school buildings, 
fire engine houses and court house to be open to 
visitors from two to five o'clock in the afternoon. 

A grand concert by Fairman's Boston Band from 
2.30 to 4.30 p. m., at the speakers' platform on High 
street. 

Monday evening. — Meetings in the Presbyterian, 
Methodist and Baptist Churches and in St. Mary's 
Hall, with brief addresses by former Ballstonians, 
and vocal and instrumental music. 

Tuesday. June 25. — Centennial Day. — President of 
the Day, Hon. Jesse S. L'Amoreaux ; Marshal of 
the Day, Gen. John D. Babcock, U. S. A., (retired.) 

At ten o'clock in the forenoon a Grand Parade of 
military and civic organizations and the public 
schools. 

At half past two o'clock in the afternoon, the 
Centennial Mass Meeting on High street, to be an- 
nounced by the ringing of the Revolutionary bell in 
the tower of the Parish House. 

Tuesday evening. — Grand display of Pain's fire- 
works, and a grand concert by Doring's band. 

THE CELEBRATION. 

SATURD.A.Y OPENING DAY. 

The amateur athletic meet in the afternoon 
was a most auspicious opening of the Cen- 
tennial Celebration. The Strength and Health 
Club arranged an excellent program, and it 
was carried out with fine spirit. 

The High School events were won by the 
Ballston Spa school with 23 points ; Cam- 
bridge second with 21 points; Argyle third, 
17 points; Berlin, 14 points; Glens Falls, 5 
points. In the half mile run, Arner Eede of 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



189 



Ballston Spa broke the High School record, 
making the distance in 2.17. 

Louden Field Club easily took first place 
in the club events with 32 f>oints ; Columbia 
A. C, of Schenectady, second, iij^ points; 
Saratoga Y. M. C. A., third, 10 points, with 
only one man entered, Spratt winning both 
events in which he took part ; Strength and 
Health Club, Ballston Spa, 5 points ; Os-sa- 
hin-ta Club, Ballston Spa, 3 points; Turn 
Verein, Schenectady, J^ point. 



Hammer throw — Safford, Argj'le, first; Ashton, 
Cambridge, second; Mitchell, third. Distance, 132 ft. 

Broad jump — Won by Miller, of Berlin; Mc- 
Naughton, Argyle, second ; Ashton, Cambridge, third. 
Distance, 19 feet, 3 inches. 

Discus throw — Won by Ashton of Cambridge; 
Phillips, Ballston, second; Ellis, Argyle, third. Dis- 
tance, 100 ft. 

A. A. U. CLUB EVENTS. 

Quarter mile — Won by Donahue, of Louden; 
Whealey, Troy, second; Pearsau, Columbia, 1hird. 
Time, 51 4-5 seconds. 

Broad jump — Wood, Strength and Health, first; 




MILTON AVENUE. 



The summaries were as follows : 



HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS. 

100 yard dash— Won by Cole, of Ballston ; Miller, 
Berlin, second; McNaughton, Argyle, third. Time, 
II seconds. 

High jump — Won by Huggins, of Cambridge: 
Phillips, Ballston Spa, second: Miller, Berlin, third.. 
Height, s ft. 6Vi in. 

120 yard hurdles — Bedell, of Ballston and Mc- 
Naughton, of Cambridge, tied for first place; Miller, 
Berlin, third. Time, 17 4-5 sec. 

Shot put— Ashton, of Cambridge, first; Hull, of^ 
Berlin, second; Mitchell, Cambridge, third. Dis-* 
tance, 40 feet, i in. 

Half mile— Won by Eede, Ballston; Henrj-, Ar- 
gyle, second. Time, 2.17. 

440 yard dash — Won by Liddell, Glens Falls; Cole, 
Ballston, second: Hull, Berlin, third. Time, 56 2-6 
seconds. 



Bissell and Donahue, of Louden, second and third. 
Distance, 20 ft., 7 in. 

Mile run — Won by Burlingame, of Louden ; Scraf- 
ford and Meagher, of Columbia, second and third. 
Time, 4.45^^. 

100 yard dash — Won by Spratt, of Saratoga : Mc- 
Naughton, Argyle, second ; Merrill, Louden, third. 
Time, 104-5. 

Pole vault — Won by Donahue, of Louden; Cole, 
Os-sa-hin-ta, second : Roberts, Turn Verein and 
Forbes, Columbia, tied for third place. Height, 9 
ft., 9 in. 

Mile relay race — Won by Louden; Columbia, 
second. 

Shot put — Won by McNamee, of Columbia ; Loner- 
gan, of Albany, second; Ashton, Cambridge, third. 
Distance, 45 ft, 9 in. 

220 yard dash — Won by Spratt, of Saratoga : Mer- 
rill, Louden, second ; Ottman, Columbia, third. Time, 
23 4-5 seconds. 



190 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



OFFICIALS OF THE MEET. 

Referee, William Rooney; starter, Fred Rooney; 
timers, Frank Winney, Geo. West, A. A. Lavery, D. 
V. G. Curtis ; judges at finish, E. Geiser, J. F. Kil- 
mer, J. L. Gorman; field judges, Jos. King, Geo. Mc- 
Donough, E. S. Coons, W. Case, Valentine Baker, 
Samuel Taverner; official scorer, Harry Robbins; 
announcer, Hiley Armer; clerk of course, Walter 
Rooney; assistant clerk of course, W. Pickering. 

SATURDAY EVENING. 

The re-union on "Mohican Hill," at Brook- 
side, fairly eclipsed any event of a similar 
character known in Ballston's history. The 
grounds were splendidly illuminated under the 
direction of Superintendent John Ryan, of 
the electric lighting company, and the thou- 
sands who visited the large plateau which 
crowns the hill, were delighted with the beau- 
tiful scene which there presented itself, as 
well as charmed with the fine music of Leader 
Holcomb's Silver Cornet Band of Glens Falls. 

At the entrance to the path which winds 
its way up the hill there was a blaze of Hght 
from a large illumination which read: "1807 
— Ballston Spa Centennial — 1907," and under 
neath was a large crayon picture represent- 
ing "Uncas," the famous Last of the Mohi- 
cans. Hundreds of electric lights were used 
in the lighting of the grounds, and the scene 
will never be forgotten by those present. The 
home-coming re-union was unique in char- 
acter, and a conception worthy of the occasion. 

CENTENNIAL SUNDAY. 

Services of a commemorative character were 
held in all the churches. At the Catholic, 
Methodist and Episcopal churches, historical 
sketches were read by the pastors. (A com- 
plete history of all the village churches will 
be found in the history of the village, else- 
where in this volume.) 

The services were largely attended, and 
former pastors and old-time residents were 
cordially welcomed. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

At the morning service, Miss Annie Dor- 
ward, daughter of a former pastor, sang very 
sweetly a solo entitled "Face to Face." 

Just before the sermon Mr. C. H. Grose 
read the following letter, prefacing the read- 
ing by these remarks : 

"Rev. William O. Holman, D.D., was pas- 



tor of this church from 1862 to 1865, a little 
more than three years, and during the stirring 
times of the civil war. Some of you who are 
present this morning will recall with grateful 
memories his very successful pastorate. He 
now resides in Rockland, Me. Mr. E. F. 
Grose sent him an invitation to our centennial, 
and in reply has received a very interesting 
letter, portions of which I will read to you. 
The letter is written in a bold, steady hand, 
which shows no evidence of advancing age. 
My only regret is that Dr. Holman is not here 
to speak to you with that same charm of 
manner and eloquent speech which he pos- 
sessed in such an eminent degree. Dr. Hol- 
man writes : 

Rockland, June 19, 1907. 

Dear Friend Grose : Your letter was a grateful 
surprise both to me and my wife. Our memories 
of Ballston Spa and the dear old church are vivid 
and happy. Times without number we have talked 
over the three years we spent there, and re- 
called the many friends we made there, and won- 
dered who, and how many of them might still be liv- 
ing. Your father was a man of more than ordinary 
and diversified talents, whose experience in the 
ministry was often of service to me as a very young 
minister. That was one of the happiest Sabbaths 
of my life when, while I was baptizing others, your 
father joined me in the service, and baptized your 
brother Howard, and your sister Elizabeth. 

Of my old parishioners I was very fond, and 
though I was a strong Republican and defender of 
"the war for the union," and many of them were 
not, there never was any unpleasantness between 
us on that account. They loved me so well and 
enjoyed my ministry so much that they bore with 
me on all questions upon which we differed, even 
when I made war speeches, not excepting that Sun- 
day night speech, just before the draft. Indeed, I 
recall the Bloods, the Noxons, the Millards, Mr. 
Wiley and others who were strong Democrats, 
with as much pleasure to-day as the Garretts and 
others who were such staunch Republicans. I 
often wonder how we all got on so famously and 
so happily, without a single jar during tho^e ex- 
citmg days. Certainly God was with us; blessed 
us with peace among ourselves as a church, and 
granted us precious revivals of religion notwith- 
standing all the distractions of the civil war. I 
was glad to hear that so many are still alive to re- 
member me affectionately as I do them. Rev. 
David Tully and I were especially warm friends. 
He was many years my senior but years made no 
difference between us, and differing^ creeds not a 
bit. The Methodist minister was my next door 
neighbor at one time, and he was a kindly soul — 
Fox was his name if I remember aright. George 
Worthington, a very gifted and genial young man, 
was the Episcopal clergyman. I thought he would 
make his mark in the world, and I was not sur- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



191 



prised when a few years since I learned he had 
been made a bishop of one of the western states. 
You remember when we built over our meeting 
house, and how proud we were of it, when we re- 
dedicated it after spending some $5,000 on it. I 
raised the money myself by subscription. The con- 
tributions came freely, though the times were hard. 
I am glad you have a new house of worship now, 
though I am sure you cannot have any better times 
than we had in the old one. They were blessed 
days. 

How well I remember, and how lovingly, my 
immediate predecessor in the pastorate. Rev. Wil- 
liam Groom — a man of extraordinary intellect, a 
profound thinker, a royal preacher, a most devoted 
pastor and lovable character. That I was able in 
any degree to fill his place is a matter for which I 
have always been grateful. How, too, I reverenced 
the Elder Norman Fox, as I have since honored 
his son and namesake, though he never was pastor 
at Ballston Spa. Well, I must stop — so many 
memories come thronging around my heart that I 
cannot write them. 

God bless the dear old church over which it was 
once my joy to be pastor, and which still has a 
large place in my heart and prayers. 

And now I must sorrowfully say that it will be 
impossible for me to be with you in your centennial 
observances. I am just recovering from the severest 
illness of my life, a siege of pneumonia which car- 
ried me so low that several times it was thought I 
was about to pass away. Confined to my bed and 
room for over ninety days, I am now able to be 
about, and almost daily I walk and ride out, but 
would not dare to come so far in my present weak- 
ness. Again and again I have wished I might since 
your letter came. Mrs. Holman joins me in love 
and good wishes. M'^ith loving regards to you and 
yours, W. O. Holman. 

Rev. William T. Dorward, of Stelton, N. J., 
a former pastor of the church, preached the 
morning discourse from ist Corinthians, xviii: 
10, "By the grace of God I am what I am." 

At the evening service Rev. W. T. C. 
Hanna, pastor of the church eighteen years 
ago, preached an inspiring sermon, his sub- 
ject being "Christ is all in all." 

EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

At the morning service in Christ Church 
the Rector, Rev. J. W. Hegeman, read the 
following letter from Bishop Worthington : 

New York, May 12th, 1907. 
It gratifies me exceedingly to have the assurance 
which your kind note contains, that the good peo- 
ple of Christ Church, Ballston Spa, after these many 
years hold me in cordial remembrance. I treasure 
the memory of the happy relations existing between 
us during the brief period of my first rectorship. 
They were very patient with my youth and inex- 
perience. How long ago it seems! Doubtless many 



who were my fellow laborers in the parish and whose 
sympathetic loyalty secured any success attending 
my ministry there, have entered into the rest of the 
children of God. 

It is with unfeigned regret, my dear Brother, that 
in thanking you and your vestry for the polite in- 
vitation to be your guest on the twenty-third of 
June and preach on the interesting occasion re- 
ferred to. I must reply that other engagements, 
which as they are named you will observe, cannot 
be deferred, will prevent me from accepting. 

My diocesan school closes in June, and I expect 
as usual to be in my diocese, not alone to preside 
at the graduating exercises and to preach the Bac- 
calaureate sermon, but to attend the annual meet- 
ing of various trusteeships at which our diocesan 
caucus requires my presence ; and after my return 
from the west I have made two engagements here, 
which like the others cannot be deferred. 

May I ask you to remember me most cordially to 
the wardens and vestry, and seeking for you and the 
parish the divine blessing. Believe me, 
Faithfully yours, 

G. Worthington. 

Rev. Dr. J. Montague Geer was the 
preacher at this service. He is a son of the 
late Rev. George Jarvis Geer, and Rector of 
St. Paul's Church, in New York City. Dr. 
Geer prefaced his sermon by speaking of the 
pleasure it gave him to accept the invitation 
of the rector to attend the centennial and be 
his guest. He said: 

"I am here because this is my birthplace and I 
am proud of it. I am also here because it was my 
father's pleasure and privilege to minister during 
the years 1845 to 1852 to this parish. He had a 
great love for many of the people of this parish and 
I have learned that that love was returned by the 
people of Ballston Spa. When I received the in- 
vitation, I felt that I should be ashamed not to 
honor my father's memory and my birthplace, by 
letting other matters interfere with my coming." 
Dr. Geer spoke of the progress that had been made 
since his father came to the parish and mentioned 
a singular incident that happened when he first came 
to the parish. It appeared that the church had been 
let by the trustees to a traveling company of players 
in which to give a performance. That contract 
was quickly cancelled for if it had not been there 
would soon have been a vacancy in the rectorship." 

Dr. Geer preached an able sermon on "The 
Importance of the Religion of Jesus Christ." 

At the evening service George Foster Pea- 
body, of Lake George and New York, gave 
an address. Mr. Peabody is a prominent lay- 
man of the church and greatly interested in 
the education of the people of the south, not 
only the colored people, but whites of the 
mountain regions. His address was largely 



192 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



along the line of education, not only in the 
south, but also in the north, where back in the 
country they appear to have little interest in 
life. He gave many pathetic incidents show- 
ing the need of a larger outlook for these 
people, that they might have a more abund- 
ant life. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The pulpit was draped with the Stars and 
Stripes, and beneath the memorial window 
were the national colors. About the pulpit 
were tastefully grouped a profusion of ferns, 
daisies, apple blossoms and other early flowers. 

A large congregation was present at the 
morning service to listen to the former pastor, 
Rev. Dr. A. R. Olney, whose pastorate of 
twelve years was one of the most successful 
in the history of the church. 

Before the sermon, pastor Arthur T. Young 
read the following letter from Rev. Dr. Tully, 
who is living at Media, Pa. Dr. Tully is more 
than ninety years of age, and altho retired 
from the ministry, teaches a large Bible class 
every Sunday. 

"Rev. A. T. Young: 

"My Dear Brother — I extend to you and the good 
people of Ballston Spa my warmest greetings, and 
I wish I could be present on the 23d instant, and 
call to remembrance the former days. I am spec- 
ially happy in paying my respects to the present 
residents of the beautiful town of Ballston Spa, so 
young -and fair as a centennarian. It fills me with 
delight that the churches are taking such an inter- 
est in her celebration. The churches, with all their 
imperfections, are still the salt of the earth. If 
these churches had been in the cities of the 
plain in the time of Lot the cities would have 
remained to this day. I rejoice that the civil au- 
thorities among you had the wisdom to ask the 
churches to unite in the celebration. I shall pray 
for the peace and prosperity of Ballston Spa, on 
the 22d-25th days, inclusive, 'The Lord bless you 
and keep you. the Lord be gracious unto you, the 
Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you 
and give you peace.' 

"The Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa was 
under my care as pastor from October, 1856, till 
the autumn of 1866. It was small and not very 
harmonious. We were providentially brought to- 
gether by my classm.ate and predecessor. Rev. Na- 
thaniel B. Klinck, who had fallen on the icy street 
and broken one of his limbs. He invited me to 
come and preach and administer communion. After 
the morning service, the friends of the pastor asked 
me to preach a peace sermon in the evening, which 
I did, from Eph. vi:ii, 12. It was a carefully pre- 
pared sermon which I had preached to two war- 
ring churches at Windsor, N. Y. The peace did 



not last many months, for the pastor resigned and 
went to CaHfornia. They gave me a unanimous 
call at $700, without a parsonage, and a fine field 
for much hard work. Mr. Philip McOmber, a good 
elder, being sheriff and jailor, gave me the use of 
the jury room for a study when the court was not 
in session. There was not a house to rent in town. 
After a careful survey of the field by pastoral vis- 
itation, I organized the forces for work. A mid- 
week prayer-meeting was started, and a ladies' 
society. Both were successful. The ladies' ob- 
jective was a parsonage, for Mr. Samuel H. Cook 
had said to me, 'We may as well have no church 
as be without a parsonage;' and I replied, 'We can 
soon get one.' 

"The parsonage was bought and paid for in six 
months' time. We next started two mission Sun- 
day schools, one in a boardinghouse near Mr. Cook's 
cotton mill on the flats ; and the other at Factory 
Village. Mr. Cook became the superintendent of 
the one near the mill, for which he afterwards built 
a frame chapel for its Sunday home, near the cen- 
ter of the town. I superintended the one at Factory 
Village, taught a Bible class, and preached a brief 
sermon in the afternoon of the Sabbath. This gave 
me three services on the Sabbath, but I was young 
and strong, and I enjoyed the work, for in those 
days I hardly ever knew what it was to be tired. 

"The work went on gloriously. Conversions were 
frequent. In 1857 the church was greatly quickened 
and revived. Mr. Samuel H. Cook was one of the 
converts, and that meant much for the Presbyterian 
Church in Ballston Spa. Mr. Cook was a thor- 
oughly consecrated man, an earnest worker, and a 
liberal supporter in many ways. 

"When I was elected to the Chaplaincy of the 
77th N. Y. Volunteers, in 1861, I asked to be re- 
leased from the pastorate, and a leading democrat 
moved that I have a leave of absence for six months 
as Wm. H. Seward thought the war would last only 
three months. I remained with the army of the 
Potomac till after the seven days' battle before 
Richmond ; and while absent in the camp I wrote a 
weekly letter to some member of the session to be 
read at the prayer meeting, which kept the prayer 
meeting full both in numbers and interest. 

"Death twice entered my home while pastor at 
Ballston Spa, and while the sympathy of the church 
was warmly expressed, there were two sisters, Mary 
and Charlotte Williams, who were to my beloved 
wife veritable ministering angels. When in 1868 I 
was called to Belvidere, N. J., and domestic reasons 
rendered it absolutely necessary to break the bond 
of love that bound us happily together for a decade 
and I bade my beloved flock at Ballston Spa good- 
bye with the deepest regret. 

''The ten years which I spent in Ballston Spa were 
among the most eventful of my life. 1^ should have 
mentioned to the praise of God's grace that the 
church was greatly revived in 1864-5, arid quite a 
number added to the church on confession of faith. 
I ought to have given credit to Samuel Cook also 
for the free use of Waverly Hall for church services 
while the church building was undergoing repairs. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



193 



"And now may the Lord bless and prosper you 
more abundantly under the ministrations of one 
who will always be Young. Be ye steadfast, always 
abounding in the work of the Lord. 

Yours in labor and toil, 

David Tully." 

Dr. Olney preached a very practical ser- 
mon, taking his text from Numbers, xxiii, lo, 
"Let me die the death of the righteous, and 
let my last end be like his." 

At the afternoon service Rev. W. T. Dor- 
ward gave an interesting address. 



fruits ye shall know them." At the close of 
the sermon, Mr. Hall said : "You owe a debt 
to those who have fallen in the present century. 
In the centuries to come, you will be known 
by your fruits. Our temples, our works will 
be the proof. We will bear such fruits in 
our lives as to make it worthy of our very 
best service so that next century there will 
be a better, truer and nobler people here in 
order that there may be progress and eman- 
cipation." 




■■MONUMENT SQUARE/ 



Mr. George D. Raymond sang with fine 
effect a tenor solo, "I heard the voice of 
Jesus say." 

METHODIST CHURCH. 

Rev. W. W. Cox, of Valley Falls, who was 
pastor of the church in 1898 preached at the 
morning service, taking his text from the 
eighth verse of the first chapter of Exodus : 
"Now * * * there are kings over Egypt 
whom you have not chosen." 

At the evening service Mr. John Keyes 
sang the fine baritone solo "Beyond the gates 
of Paradise." Rev. Charles L. Hall, a former 
pastor, now of Cohoes, preached the sermon, 
taking for his subject "Wherefore by their 



After the services the former pastors were 
greeted by their many friends very cordially. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The services at St. Mary's Church both 
morning and evening were attended by con- 
gregations which filled the large church. At 
the morning service Reverend Father Mc- 
Donough gave a historical sketch of the 
church, and spoke interestingly of the cen- 
tennial. 

At the evening service a very cordial 
greeting was extended to Reverend Father 
John F. Lowery, D.D., of Troy, one of the 
first pastors of the church. Father Lowery's 
address was of a reminiscent character. He 
said: 



194 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



"It is right and just that we should at all times 
and everywhere give thanks to Thee, Oh Eternal 
Lord, Almight}' Everlasting God ! 

"These words my dear brethren, of the Preface 
of the Mass, give expression to the sentiment which 
fills our hearts at this centennial time, for as the 
church says in her sublime preference that we 
should always and everywhere give thanks to God 
our Lord, certainly at this time, it is eminently 
proper that our hearts should go out in grateful 
recognition to the God of our fathers. Indeed the 
very thought, that we are celebrating the centen- 
nial of this old town, is enough to make our blood 
leap; is enough to make our hearts throb with in- 
tense joy; for to each and every one of us the 
festival of the centennial of this village awakens 
ten thousand memories. We think of our gray 
haired fathers who have gone before us ; of our 
mothers" faces which never lacked a smile; our 
lovers, our sweethearts, brothers and sisters, and 
our dear friends, many of whom now sleep in silent 
graves. And while it awakens joyous feelings in 
our hearts, yet it touches all the tenderest emotions 
of our souls. 

"At the celebration of this grand and glorious 
festival, the history of one hundred years is in- 
volved, the history of dear old Ballston, the history 
of our race and our religion, everything perhaps. 
The history of our families and our own individual 
experiences. All these things are bound up with 
the memories which thrill our souls on this great 
centennial festival. It is thus eminently proper 
that at this time we should give public expression 
to the joy that we feel and to the gratitude which 
we entertain in our hearts to the God of our fathers, 
for all the blessings which he has showered upon 
us as individuals and as a community, for God has 
not forgotten to be gracious to Ballston, nor has 
God forgotten to be gracious to you and yours dur- 
ing these hundred years. And well may the public 
of Ballston say that to all, without regard to creed 
or opinion, without regard to shades of politics. 
Well may they celebrate the glorious memories 
which leap up on every corner, at every spot of 
ground at this most happy time. There are none 
of us, my dear brethren, to whom this festival of 
the centennial of Ballston does not appeal with 
special force. We rejoice with all our fellow citi- 
zens at all the graciousness of God for the blessings 
which he has scattered over this village since the 
day it was born until the present hour, and give 
thanks to Thee, oh God : thou art always the same. 

"So the children of Ballston from far and near 
come up to their Jerusalem, and the village opens 
all her gates to all her children, as this church opens 
her doors to welcome back her children from north 
to south, and east to west, to the home of their 
childhood and youth : and the village of Ballston 
listens in her gray hair and rejoices and exults 
when she meets and greets her children, coming 
from near and far. So wherever you go and meet 
a Ballstonian. black or white. Protestant or Cath- 
olic, Democrat or Republican, there you meet a 
man who rejoices with all his fellow citizens, a man 
who is prepared to celebrate a centennial. And so 



it is my dear brethren that all the children of Balls- 
ton rejoice in their hearts. We are all happy when 
old mother Ballston puts on her gay dress and 
seems proud, and greets her children, as, when the 
Crusaders saw the spires of Jerusalem, they re- 
joiced. So on this day the children of Ballston 
everywhere rejoice and exult as they behold the 
old town, and they come back to it with an un- 
speakable emotion, and in this joy, my dear breth- 
ren, I share most heartily, for I am one of the old- 
est priests that ministered to you in the days gone 
by, and forty years ago this morning I celebrated 
high mass in the old church on Church street. 
Forty years ago to-day. If there be any here who 
knew me then as a boy priest, I greet them in my 
old age, and may God have mercy on the souls of 
all the faithful who have departed. We all need to 
rejoice at all the blessings that God has poured 
forth upon us in the building up of the village of 
Ballston. In all the higher walks of life the Cath- 
olics of Ballston have stood foremost in law, finance, 
in medicine, in business. All and every profession 
of life has seen the Catholic element in Ballston 
doing their share, and standing first and foremost 
when the country was in danger, when the rebels 
sought to tear down the flag, then the Catholics of 
Ballston showed their courage by shedding the last 
drop of blood in its defense. There is every rea- 
son why St. Mary's congregation should rejoice 
in the celebration of this great centennial festival. 

"The old church still remains, the old church in 
which I preached my sermons. It was builded 
strong and stout by Father Cull. It is here to-day, 
moved from its old site by your present beloved and 
distinguished pastor, smiling and opening her 
arms to receive everybody — the City Hall of Balls- 
ton you might say. Surely my dearly beloved, the 
time is full of memories for 3'ou and yours. Surely 
you have reason to rejoice in all that has made 
Ballston beautiful and prosperous. You have rea- 
son to be glad. It is right and just that we should 
everywhere and at all times and especially at this 
centennial time, give thanks to thee. Lord God 
Omnipotent Father, Eternal God. The Catholics 
of Ballston unite with their fellow citizens. They 
are proud of their own history here. 

"The first mass that was said in this village of 
Ballston, was probably said in the old Sans Souci 
hotel by the peer and friend and adviser of George 
Washington, Archbishop Carroll, the first Arch- 
bishop of America. The first bishop consecrated in 
America, the father of the American hierarchy, in 
all probability offered up the sacrifice of the mass 
in that hotel over a century ago, and then it was 
that the waters began to be famous, and the great 
.Archbishop Carroll was among the first to install 
the healing properties of your mineral springs. 
After that we have no record of mass having been 
said in Ballston until the year i83'4, when Father 
Kelly, the father of the Banker Eugene Kelly of 
New York City, offered up mass in Ballston. As 
this place was not supplied with a regular pastor, it 
was supplied from the Saratoga church, and in 
1843 Dr. Farley was nominated the first pastor of 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



195 



Saratoga, and then began the regular, or I might 
say, occasional visits to Ballston. 

"Father Farley was succeeded by Father Don- 
ahue, and Father Donahue by Father Van Reef, 
who afterwards returned to Holland. Father 
Van Reef by Father Daly, afterwards of St. John's, 
Utica, in 1850, and Father Daly was succeeded by 
Father Cull, who built the church in Saratoga, and 
built the old church in Ballston, although the peo- 
ple worshipped in a house at the foot of Charlton 
street until Father Cull built the church. The first 
resident pastor of Ballston came immediately after 
I left Saratoga. I well remember my visits to Balls- 
ton. I had to prepare a class for confirmation and 
I have met grandmothers who received their first 
communion from me during my ministry here. On 
my way to Ballston at one time I remember see- 
ing an advertisement on a fence and I approached 
it and read : 

'To Ballston to Ballston let him go. 

Who would be rigged from top to toe 

In clothes of faultless make. 

Smiles, lovely smiles shall deck 

The brow where gloominess is rampant now, 

And hope anew shall awake.' 

If you want good clothes, go to so and so. 

"As I looked at this, I thought it must be an en- 
terprising village, and I am quite sure it is an en- 
terprising town. 

"The first resident pastor was Father McGeough, 
who served from 1867 until 1873, and he was suc- 
ceeded by Father Bayard in 1873, who remained 
until 1878. I remember coming to hear a lecture in 
the old church in 1873. In 1878, the reverend pastor. 
Father B. J. McDonough, was by Divine Providence 
assigned to this Mission, which was then heavily in 
debt. From that hour until the present moment, 
the benediction of God has seemed to descend upon 
this congregation. From that hour until the present 
moment religion has flourished in this village. Your 
pastor has honored the memory of his predecessors 
here. He has built the house of God, and he has 
built one of the most glorious churches in the United 
States. From Te.xas to Maine, from ocean to ocean, 
from north to south, there isn't a village that boasts 
of a finer church than St. Mary's. Equipped as only 
your pastor knew how to equip it; as beautiful as 
a bride, and not only the beautiful church in which 
you take such pride, but the parish house and its 
beautiful lawns. It fills our hearts with joy. It is 
a grand edifice to the village. Well may the people 
of Ballston rejoice at the end of the first hundred 
years, to have such a glorious church and such a 
glorious pastor. 

"I did not come to preach a sermon, but rather 
to make a centennial address. I say all hail to this 
glorious centennial. Thousands and thousands shall 
walk the floor of this church in after generations 
to bless the memory of the pastor who built it. 
Thousands and thousands shall kneel at this altar 
rail and they shall bless the memory of the priests 
who encircled it. They shall come here to hear the 
word of God, and as they listen to it, they shall 
be reminded of those who have gone before. We 
have here not a lasting city, but we shall look for 



one to come. All hail to this glorious Village of 
Ballston. May the God of our fathers bless it in 
the future with the blessings he has bestowed on 
it in the past. May Ballston always be honored by 
her children, and may they who come here from 
far and near, and from over the sea, return home 
full of centennial joy, full of gladness in the pros- 
perity of Ballston to-day and in the days that are 
to come." 

After the evening service the old pastor 
held an informal reception at the parsonage 
and was pleased to shake hands and converse 
with some who had been under his minis- 
trations. 

MONDAY FRATERNAL DAY. 

The work of decorating the village was 
not completed until late on Saturday, and 
the surprising extent of the decorations could 
not be realized until after a tour throughout 
the town. Never before in its history has the 
beautiful village been so gaily attired. Thou- 
sands of yards of bright colored bunting were 
used, with the "stars and stripes" largely pre- 
dominating over all other devices. There 
was scarcely a house or building in town from 
which "Old Glory" was not flung to the 
breeze. 

In the afternoon all the churches, the rooms 
of the fraternal societies and clubs, and pub- 
lic buildings were opened to the public, and 
were visited by large numbers. Committees 
were in charge to receive visitors, while sev- 
eral served refreshments. Many interesting 
meetings of old friends took place at these 
receptions. 

A most enjoyable feature of the afternoon 
was the splendid concert given at the speakers' 
stand on High street by Fairman's Boston 
Band. An audience of more than a thou- 
sand enjoyed the music, which was rendered 
in masterly style. 

In its evening issue the Daily Journal said : 

"Ballston Spa's centennial celebration is now at 
its height and a grand and glorious celebration it 
is proving. After weeks of enthusiastic effort the 
work of the several committees shows in the splen- 
did time the people are having, and will culminate 
in to-morrow's pageant. Beginning with the sports 
on Saturday afternoon, the first day ended with 
the re-union on Mohican Hill, attended by three 
thousand people. Yesterday all the churches held 
re-unions and greeted with pleasure the return of 
former pastors. Several of them preached, while 
others gave reminiscences of their work here. The 
address by Rev. Father Lowery at St. Mary's church 
was a noteworthy one, as he was the oldest pastor 



196 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



to return to the village, and one of the first pastors 
of the church." 

MONDAY EVENING. 

Meetings were held at St. Mary's Hall, 
the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian 
Churches, with a program consisting of brief 
addresses, interspersed with vocal and instru- 
mental music. 

The speakers were Rev. W. Montague 
Geer of New York City; Rev. A. R. Olney 
of Watervliet, N. Y.; Rev. W. T. Dorward 
of Stelton, N. J. ; Prof. George P. Knox of 
St. Louis, Mo.; and Judge J. S. L'Amoreaux 
of New York and Ballston Spa. 

The artists, who contributed most delight- 
ful numbers to the program, were Miss Eloise 
McKean, soprano, of Round Lake ; the cen- 
tennial quartet, Messrs. Ralph H. Davison, 
George D. Raymond, Howard Balch and John 
Keyes ; violinists, Mr. Walter L. Garrett, of 
Glens Falls, and Miss Alma Hayes, of Balls- 
ton Spa; pianists, Mr. Edward Tracy and 
Mr. Walter Kathan; organists, Mrs. R. L. 
Carter, Baptist Church ; Mrs. C. E. Fitcham, 
Presbyterian Church ; Miss Lucy Watts, 
Methodist Church. 

The meetings began at eight o'clock, the 
programs being as follows : 

St. Mary's Hall — Te Deum, centennial quartet; 
address, Judge L'Amoreaux ; violin solo, Mr. Gar- 
rett : address. Rev. W. T. Dorward : piano solo, Mr. 
Tracy ; address. Rev. Dr. Geer ; address, Prof. 
George P. Knox. 

Baptist Church — Violin solo, Mr. Garrett; address. 
Prof. Kno.x ; Te Deum, quartet : address. Judge 
L'Amoreaux; violin solo, Mr. Garrett; address. 
Rev. W. T. Dorward ; anthem, choir ; address. Rev. 
Dr. Geer. 

■Methodist Church — .\ddress," Rev. Dr. Geer; or- 
gan solo. Miss Watts; address. Prof. Knox; ad- 
dress, Rev. Dr. Olney, Te Deum, quartet ; violin 
solo. Miss Hayes: address. Rev. W. T. Dorward. 

Presbyterian Church — Violin solo. Miss Hayes ; 
address. Rev. W. T. Dorward ; address. Rev. Dr. 
Geer; soprano solo. Miss Eloise McKean; address, 
Prof. .Knox ; Te Deum, quartet ; address, Rev. Dr. 
Olney. 

Hon. John H. Burke presided at St. Mary's Hall; 
Walter H. Wiley at the B.iptist Church ; Irwin Es- 
mond at the Methodist Church ; Burton D. Es- 
mond at the Presbyterian Church. 

The address of Judge L'Amoreaux was a 
very comprehensive, but necessarily brief 
history of the work of the churches during the 
century. He said : 

"Mr. Chairman and Fellow Churchmen : It was 
peculiarly appropriate that the public observances 



of this centennial occasion should begin with the 
commemorative services held yesterday in the 
churches of our village. For Christianity and civi- 
lization arc inseparably united. Destroy the 
churches whose numberless spires point heaven- 
ward all over this great and enlightened country, 
and the boasted civilization of the twentieth cen- 
tury would ere long place proud America on a 
level with the effete nations of the East, which are 
just now .-iwakening to a higher civilization under 
the benign influences of Christianity. 

"The first white owners of the land, comprising 
the old Ball-town district, recognized the truth of 
these statements by a gift of five hundred acres of 
land to Rev. Eliphalet Ball, for whom our village 
is named, a stern old Puritan of the Presbyterian 
faith, as an inducement for him to settle a colony 
of his parishioners from Connecticut, within the 
grant. They knew that 'stated preaching' by an 
earnest clergyman of their faith was the strongest 
incentive that could be offered to the descendants 
of the Puritans from the land of Knox to induce 
them to emigrate to the 'new country.' Eliphalet 
Ball was a scholar of extensive acquirements, and 
a Christian of exalted piety, well fitted to lay the 
foundation of a new community. Twenty families 
of his flock follovifed Elder Ball, and the rude log 
meeting house they erected near the outlet of Balls- 
ton Lake was the first house of worship in Sara- 
toga county. This early church has maintained its 
organization to the present time, and is known as 
the Presbyterian Church of Ballston Centre. 

"In the few minutes alotted to me, I want to 
speak to you briefly of our village churches, and 
their far-reaching influence for good, which is not 
bounded by the narrow limits of our corporation. 

"The Baptists were the pioneers in the village, 
organizing their church here in 1791, and a few 
years later building their first meeting-house in 
the northeastern part of the present village cem- 
etery. The first pastor was Elias Lee, 'a man of 
great piety and religious enthusiasm, and a preacher 
of tremendous power.' He was pastor of the church 
for twenty-nine years. Among the strong men who 
have served this church as pastor were Norman 
Fox, William Groom, William O. Holman, W. T. 
C. Hanna and G. G. Johnson. 

"The next church instituted in the village was 
the Episcopalian in 1810. Rev. Joseph Perry was 
the first pastor, and among his successors appear 
such names as Dr. Bahcock, rector for twenty years ; 
Drs. Geer and Carey, Bishop Worthington and Drs. 
Delafield and Pelletreau. 

"The first pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Dr. 
Samuel Irenaeus Prime, became one of the leaders 
of that denomination, and as editor of the New York 
Observer for forty years, wielded a mighty influence 
for righteousness all over the land. The names of 
Drs. Chester, Tully. Mattoon, Olney, Hayt and Tel- 
ler recall the fruitful labors of these zealous min- 
isters of the gospel. 

"The 'circuit rider' of the Methodist persuasion. 
with his saddle-bags well supplied with Bibles and 
tracts, following close upon the trail of the first 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



197 



settlers, was always ready to preach, pray or ex- 
hort, in the log cabin, the barn, the school house or 
wherever opportunity offered, and he will ever re- 
main a blessed memory of pioneer days. The re- 
cord of the work of these faithful ministers is lost 
to us, but the good results of their labors can be 
found in every community. Of the Methodist pas- 
tors of our village we recall Drs. Robinson, Fox, 
Squires, Loomis, Coleman, now president of a west- 
ern university; Stevens and Barrett. 

"The name of Havermans is a precious memory 
to the Catholics of this whole region. With his 
home in Troy, Father Peter Havermans paid frequent 



Hiro Jones, Edward W. Lee, E. R. Schureman, 
Amos Hewitt and Joseph Horr. ■ 

"In the Baptist Church were such devoted lead- 
ers as Samuel Garrett, Deacon Grossman, Anson 
Garrett, Russell P. Clapp and Deacons Stillwell, 
Wiley and A. J. Grippen. 

"Among the Episcopalians were Lebbeus Booth, 
James W. Horton, John H. Westcot, Wheeler K. 
Booth, S. B. Medbery, John Richards and B. F. 
Baker. 

"In the Methodist ranks we find Calvin Calkins, 
Ebenezer Jones, Samuel Hicks, M. J. and W. J. 
Esmond, Joseph L. Weed and Ira Tucker. If time 




BALLSTON SPA HOTELS— 1907. 



pastoral visits to Ballston Spa. He had the true 
missionary spirit, and was not content until he 
had instituted a church of his faith in the village. 
Fathers Cull, McGeough and Bayard were the pred- 
essors of Rev. Father McDonough, who for nearly 
thirty years has faithfully shepherded his flock 
here. 

"The roll of Christian workers is not confined to 
the ministerial profession. Hear what Dr. Prime 
said of his first elders: 'The first elders of the 
church were Henry Doolittle, David Cory, Samuel 
Benton, Jonathan McBride and Isaac Nash. They 
were all good men, and they loved their church as 
they loved an only child, and all gave time and 
labor most freely to it. The affection which they 
showed to me, their boy pastor, was something 
wonderful. They bore me on their hearts, and 
would have carried me back and forth to church in 
their arms if it had been needful.' In later years 
among the faithful workers were Samuel H. Cook, 



would permit the roll could be continued almost 
indefinitely. 

"And what have these Christian forces accom- 
plished through the years of the past century. Their 
influence for good down through the one hundred 
years of our village life cannot be measured in 
words. But is this all? Has this ennobling in- 
fluence been limited to the narrow confines of this 
immediate locality? No! a thousand times no I 
Albert Whiting, a Ballston boy, a member of our 
Presbyterian Church, goes as a Missionary of the 
Cross to the interior of China, and carries the civi- 
lization and Christianity of his homeland to that 
great heathen nation. Famine and disease come to 
the district in which he labors, and in ministering 
to others his own life is sacrificed. A martyr hero 
for his faith. 

"Fred Wiley, known to most of you, gives up 
home and kindred and friends, and in far-off India, 
with its swarming millions, with his faithful wife 



198 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



he labors to bring to that people the blessings of 
Christianity and our Western civilization. 

"And Dr. Mattoon, after a life of mission service 
in Siam, returns to become pastor of our Presby- 
terian Church for a few years, and then takes up 
his missionary work again among the colored peo- 
ple of the South, as president of Biddle University, 
where he ends a long and useful life. 

"And so, through these consecrated men and 
many others, the life of Ballston Spa, its Christian 
civilization and uplifting influence, reaches out across 
seas and continents, and links itself to that other 
life of the far Eastern countries, and as time 
marches on the seed thus sown shall result in a 
glorious harvest of higher civilization and nobler 
Christian living. 

''In closing, let me take you back for a moment 
to the very begining of missionary work in this 
part of the countrj'. Back to the middle of the 
seventeenth century, when the celebrated Jesuit 
father, Isaac Jogues, founded the 'Mission of the 
Martyrs, St. Mary of the Mohawks,' among the In- 
dians of that tribe of the Six Nations, whose favorite 
hunting grounds were along the Kayaderosseras, 
and in this immediate vicinity. Faithfully the good 
father labored among the savage tribes, but not- 
withstanding his self-sacrificing efforts, he was 
tortured until life was nearly extinct, and driven 
from the country. He persisted in returning to 
his labor of love among the savage aborigines, 
although fearful that his life would pav the 
forfeit ; and his fears were well founded, for he 
was treacherously slain, and his body thrown into 
the Mohawk River. Father Jogues was a finished 
scholar, of rare talent, and in every way fitted for 
a brilliant career; 1)ut he had chosen another work, 
that of an humble, self-sacrificing missionary of 
the cross. And so it has been down through the 
ages, in every country, and every clime, on our 
Pacific coast, among the savages of the far West, 
and wherever the foot of civilized man has trod, 
among the pioneers will be found the priests of the 
Catholic church. 

".\nd in the days to come, our village, our 
churches, you and I, each have our part to perform 
in the great work of word-wide evangelization, 
which shall bring all peoples, of every race and 
color, to a truer, and nobler conception of the 
brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God." 

Rev. W. T. Dorward, of Stelton, N. J., 
former pastor of the Baptist Church, was a 
delightful speaker and interspersed his re- 
marks with many an amusing story, but all 
had a point in them tliat applied most aptly 
to what he wished to illustrate. He spoke on 
"The Absent Sons and Daughters," and 
among other things said : "Why not think 
for a moment of these absent sons and daugh- 
ters of Ballston Spa who are scattered over 
this broad land. Doubtless they would be with 
us this evening if they could and are thinking 
of us. Let us think of these absent .sons and 



daughters who are doing their part nobly and 
well in their various professions. Let us ask 
them the cause of their success? Those who 
have succeeded are they who have faced the 
difficulties and taken the bull by the horns. 
They are successful because they had energy, 
the power to make things go, the power to 
take hold, hold on and never let go." 

Mr. Dorward related an incident when his 
little son on being required to sleep in the 
dark remarked, "God will take care of us in 
the dark, won't he, papa, and then in a 
whisper, Did you lock the door?" He drew 
a lesson from this by saying, "Let us pray 
for protection, but continue to lock the door 
against anything that will mar the fair name 
of Ballston." In closing he said, "The secret 
of public speaking is said to be 'get up boldly, 
open your mouth widely and sit down quickly' 
which I will now do." 

Rev. Dr. Olney, former pastor of the Pres- 
byterian Church, was heard with pleasure at 
two of the churches. He gave no regular ad- 
dress but what was perhaps to many of his 
hearers just as pleasing, told stories, and gave 
a number of reminiscences of his life in this 
village. 

Rev. Dr. Geer from his remarks at the last 
place where he spoke evidently enjoyed the 
experience of relay meetings as he called 
Ihem. He said he had had a novel experience 
in being taken about in an automobile just as 
though he was running for sorne exalted 
office, and that it was an experience he would 
not forget. 

Dr. Geer spoke on the need of moral and 
religious training for the young and mentioned 
the fact that when he was young the parish 
schools gave that training as part of the edu- 
cation. He deplored the fact that moral and 
religious training had practically been put 
out of the public schools. "We all deplore 
the fact," said Dr. Geer, "but do not know 
how to remedy it. We are robbing the Christ- 
ian child of his Christian heritage and rob- 
bing the Hebrew child of his Hebrew herit- 
age. To what do we owe the fact that there 
is an enormous increase in juvenile crime in 
the L^nited States? To what do we owe the 
fact that the divorce courts of the country 
are grinding out a product that is poisoning 
the family life and robbing the children of 
their God given right of a home?" 

He then spoke of the conditions of life in 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



199 



the cities for young men and women saying-, 
"We owe a duty to our young women. We 
are sending these girls into the dusty arena 
of business life, where they must inevitably 
sustain close relations with men, and with 
men who are not known to their parents. We 
should provide conditions that will make their 
lives as safe and pleasant as possible." 

In closing he touched on the continual vio- 
lation of the law by the saloon keepers saying, 
"They should obey the law and if the laws do 
not suit them go to Albany and have them 
changed. If they will not obey the law they 
should be compelled to. I am proud that you 
are doing something in that in this village." 

Mr. Knox spoke of how glad he was to 
get back to Ballston each summer, and that 
his pride in the old home town was great. He 
paid a glowing tribute to the natural beauty 
of the place, especially mentioning the trees 
as its chief glory. 

He said that the magnificent elms which in 
places completely overarch the streets are 
fully worthy to be called "cathedral elms." 
He spoke of the dearth of large trees in the 
newer sections of St. Louis and how every 
tree should be prized and safeguarded. 

Mr. Knox called attention to the fact that a 
person can travel the world over and find but 
very few localities where the mineral effer- 
vescent spring water can be found in the 
quality and quantity that it is in this village 
and vicinity. Continuing, the speaker made' 
a strong plea for the preservation and active 
maintenance of the mineral springs here in 
the town. If the present demand for the 
water is so slight as to make it a losing venture 
for the individual then the community should 
by some fair and acceptable arrangement se- 
cure ownership or control of the springs and 
then maintain them as a legitimate and neces- 
sary part of the business of the village corpor- 
ation. The springs should each be made ac- 
cessible, rendered attractive to visitors, all at 
the town's expense if the individual owners 
found the burden oppressive. It is as reason- 
able and as wise an expenditure on the part of 
the village as the care of the streets or any 
other public property, being administered by 
the public for the public good without asking 
whether the immediate and direct returns were 
forthcoming. The best business advertise- 
ment this village could make lies in its trees, 



its springs, its streets and its beautiful homes 
and public buildings, for these are the things 
which inevitably attract visitors. 

Continuing his remarks the speaker made 
an earnest and eloquent appeal for civic zeal 
and patriotism. He pleaded for activity, pro- 
gressiveness and integrity at the present mo- 
ment as being the key to the future; that 
just as our present conditions are the direct 
and inevitable result of the efforts put forth 
in the years that are past so we now hold the 
key to the future prosperity of our beautiful 
village. 

Mr. Knox spoke in high terms of the hon- 
esty and integrity of the officials of the vil- 
lage, and insisted that it is the duty of every 
citizen to be active in the care of the welfare 
of the town. 

The village papers said of these meetings: 

Daily News : "The chain of mass meetings in 
connection with Ballston Spa's centennial celebra- 
tion was an important feature of Monday's pro- 
gram. The feat of giving the program in four places 
was successfully accomplished by the literary com- 
mittee. The speakers and musicians were whirled 
from place to place in automobiles. Each one was 
allotted ten minutes and if the speaker heard the 
chug-chug of the auto, he might well know that 
his time was nearly up and that he was due to 
move in short order." 

Daily Journal : " 'Relay meetings,' as one of the 
speakers on Monday evening termed the centennial 
meetings, held at the four separate places, proved 
an unqualified success. The speakers were brief, 
.racy) and profound, and at all times interesting. 
The program was arranged in a manner so that all 
the meetings were continued with only slight waits 
while the speakers and musicians were carried in 
automobiles from place to place. Two large autos 
were used and it must certainly have been :i very 
novel experience for all of those who took part in 
the program. The musical part of the program was 
exceptionally fine. Mr. Garrett, of Glens Falls, and 
Miss Alma Hayes, of this village, gave a number 
of fine violin solos, while numerous selections were 
sung by the male quartet composed of Messrs. John 
Keyes, Ralph Davison, George Raymond and How- 
ard Balch. National anthems were also sung by 
the choirs, which were heartily joined in by the 
audiences." 

TUESDAY CENTENNIAL DAY. 

The parade in the forenoon was the most 
magnificent pageant ever witnessed in the vil- 
lage. The semi-centennial of American In- 
dependence was observed in Ballston Spa July 
4, 1826, and the parade on that occasion was 
the only one in the history of the village that 



200 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



has approached the centennial parade in mag- 
nificence and appropriateness. To the honor 
of the village let it be said that the two most 
notable events in its history were observed in 
a manner so entirely in keeping with the his- 
toric events commemorated. 

The addresses of President Wiswall, Judge 
L'Amoreaux, Gen. Horatio C. King and Col. 
William L. Stone were admirable in their 
character, and eloquent in their delivery. The 
centennial ode by Rev. Howard B. Grose, 
D.p., was a splendid production, and on oc- 
casions of this character, has rarely been 
equalled for literary merit, and excellence of 
delivery. 

THE PARADE. 

The parade fonned with the right of the 
line at High and Ballston streets, and ex- 
tended south on Ballston to IMcMaster street; 
through McMaster street to Church avenue; 
north on Church avenue to High street, and 
east on High street to the end of the line, 
and was more than a mile in length. 

Gen. John B. Babcock, U. S. A., (retired) 
was Marshal of the Day, assisted by Tames 
J. O'Brien as Chief Marshal, in immediate 
charge of the parading column, and Assistant 
Marshals James E. Conner, George T. Cun- 
ningham, Morris Dower and Henry Lewis. 

The formation of the line was as follows: 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Marshal— James J. O'Brien. 
Assistant Marshal— James E. Conner. 
Aids— Fred West and Arthur Tracy. 
Platoon of Police 
Officers Buckley, Parks. Deming, Thomas, Mc- 
Carthy, Steenburg. 
Doring's Band, of Troy, 35 pieces 

*^°" \}}\^--?- ^- ^■' °f Saratoga Springs, Capt. 
Walbridge m command with 65 men. 

CARRIAGE DIVISION. 

President I. W. Wiswall and Gen. Horatio C. King. 
Village Trustees. 
Former Village Presidents. 
Parade Committee, 
aergymen of Village and Visiting Qergymen, Su- 
pervisors Saratoga County. County Officer's 
Members of Post McKittrick and Visiting Veterans. 
Old Residents. 
Old Cannon. 
Centennial Float— Teaching the Coming Generation 
Officers of the W. C. T. U. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

George T. Cunningham, Assistant Marshal. 
Aids— John Redmond, Walter Furlong. 



Citizens Band of Ballston Spa, 25 pieces. 
Eagle Fire Company, drawing Hose Cart, Foreman 

Rooney in command, with 25 men. 

Hose Cart Union Fire Company drawn by horses. 

Union Fire Company, Foreman Frank Holmes in 

command, with 28 men. 

Hook and Ladder Cart drawn by horses. 

Matt Lee Hook and Ladder Company, Foreman 

Frank Byrne in command, with 20 men. 
Old Stage Coach with Senior Class of School. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

William Dower, Assistant Marshal. 
Aids— R. L. Carter and W. J. Hopkins. 
Luna Park Police. 
Fairman's Band of Boston, Mass., 24 pieces. 
Delegation of fourteen Conductors and Motormen 
of Schenectady Railway. 
Local Union Stationary Firemen, 30 men in line, 
Charles Coleman, president, led by Miss Ina 
Wood on horseback, and Charles Cole- 
man and John Bowen, as mascots, 
leading the horse. 
Carpenter's Union, 50 men, with Charles Baker 

in command. 
Paper Maker's Union, 36 men with Francis R. 

Holmes in command. 

E. M. Brown Rifle Corps, H. D. Davenport in 

command. 

Knights of Pythias Float. 

Spinning Wheel Float. 

Lady Maccabee Float. 

Rebekah Float. 

FOURTH DIVISION. 

Henry Lewis, Assistant Marshal. 

Aids— Dennis Tracy and Daniel Fagan. 

Centennial Drum Corps. 

Italian Society Vittorio Emanuelo HL with 

Thomas Rae in command and 32 men. 

Union Bag and Paper Company Float 

American Hide and Leather Company Float. 

Pioneer Paper Mill Float. 

CARRI.'\GE DIVISION. 



There were thirty carriages in the line, 
formed in the following order: 

Speakers' carriage— Village President Irving W. 
Wiswall, and the orator of the day, General Horatio 
C. King, of New York. 

Village officials— Trustees William S. Waterbury, 
Hugh S. Finley, Clerk William H. Sherman, Former 
President Abijah Comstock. Second carriage, Trus- 
tees George W. Miller, John Corning and Leander 
Spicer. 

Former presidents— Alfred N. Wiley, Charles O. 
McCreedy, Stephen C. Medberv and Douglas W 
Mabee. 

Parade committee— Irwin Esmond, Daniel Fur- 
long, Charies H. Grose and Walter H." Wiley. 

Prominent residents— Andrew S. Booth, Thomas 
Kerley, James W. Verbeck and Prof. George Piatt 
Knox. 

Clergymen— First carriage, Rev. B. J. McDonough, 
Rev. Father Mulligan and Rev. Father McLaughlin, 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



201 



of Saratoga Springs and Mr. James V. Dower. Se- 
cond carriage, Rev. W. T. Dorward, Rev. H. S. 
Rowe, Rev. Arthur T. Young. Third carriage. Revs. 
W. T. C. Hanna and A. B. Potter and Messrs. A. 
Fairweather, of Troy, J. W. Smith, of Waterford. 

Supervisors — First carriage, Charles M. Davison, 
Saratoga Springs; S. H. Ellithorpe, Edinburgh; 
Charles H. Carr, Wilton. Second carriage. Chair- 
man A. G. Deyoe, of Northumberland; Thomas 
Finley, Milton ; Clerk John B. Smith and Assistant 
Clerk George Smith. Third carriage, Fred Ruback, 
Galway ; C. S. Latham. Greenfield ; W. H. Allen, 
Halfmoon ; Orange E. Kathan, Day. Fourth car- 



Henry Marcellus and H. A. Smith. Eighth carriage, 
Elliott G. Reid, Albert J. Reid, James Reid and S. 
W. Horning. Ninth carriage, Seth Hill, Braman 
Ayers, G. H. Dingman, R. C. Green and Lewis 
Shonts. Tenth carriage,. C. W. Berger, G. W. Pea- 
cock, Wm. L. Towle. 

Old Citizens — First carriage, Nelson L. Roe, Sam- 
uel McGuire, John Aumack, Ephraim Webster. 
Second carriage, James L. Briggs, George W. Clark, 
James F. Peckham and Robert Tarrant 

Visitors — First carriage. Sheriff John Bradley, 
James B. McKain, Thomas W. Winney, George H. 
West, Thomas F. Barrett. Second carriage, Le- 




"MILTON SQUARE." 



riage, John Cole, Waterford; Elmer E. Baker, Sara- 
toga ; John Washburn, Moreau ; William P. Jeffords, 
Providence. Fifth carriage, John C. Baker, Still- 
water; Charles L. Brooks, Edinburgh; George F. 
Turpit, Malta ; George L. Cavert, Ballston. 

Visiting officials — Surrogate W. S. Ostrander, 
Former Sheriff E. J. Caldwell, Stephen Lee and 
Hon. C. R. Sheffer, of Mechanicville. 

Post McKittrick and Visiting Veterans — First car- 
riage, Commander A. J. Freeman. Adam Niles, .\. J. 
Carter and G. D. Story. Second carriage, Henry 
Lowry, Christian Frear, John O'Brien and Joel 
Streeter. Third carriage, John Spatehouse, James 
Hand, Moses Laque and James Condren. Fourth 
carriage. Rev. Asher Cook, A. Bennett, John Shaff 
and G. Grovesteen. Fifth carriage, George W. 
Gardner, Alexander Morrison, Thomas Jennings and 
Wallace Morrison. Sixth carriage, A. Mead, P. B. 
Vixon, Charles Spiegel and Andrew Merrithew. 
Seventh carriage, George Washburn, Ira Groot, 



vinus Lansing, Norman W. Kelso, Hiram Haight, 
Frank Gick. 

W. C. T. U.— Mrs. A. E. Hall, president; Mrs. C. 
Garling, vice-president; Mrs. M. Newkom, secretary; 
Mrs. M. Garrett, treasurer. 

FLOAT DIVISION. 

The centennial float was unique and very 
prettily decorated with American flags, tri- 
colors and bunting. It represented a teacher 
instructing a class of pupils in the history of 
centuries gone by. In her hand she held a 
modern history, while grouped around her 
were the scholars listening attentively to her 
lecture. The sides of the float bore the date 
1807-1907 and this inscription: "Teach the 
coming generation the history of our past." 



202 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Miss Clara Ham was the teacher and the 
pupils were Mary Flynn, Pauline Feeney, 
Helen Thoma and Katharine Reilly. 

Another village float was the spinning wheel 
float. This was decorated in a similar man- 
ner as the former, the costumes heing in 
keeping with fashions of the olden days. The 
Misses Mildred Arnold and Agatha Shaeffer 
represented the spinners and were busily en- 
gaged with their wheel, spinning the flax. 
William Jones was the driver. 

The most elaborate of the floats was the 
one representing Hermion Lodge, No. 90, 
Knights of Pythias, George West Uniform 
Rank, No. 19, and the Pythian Sisters. It 
depicted a scene in the story of Damon and 
Pythias. The King sat on his throne sur- 
rounded by Pythias, Calanthia, the betrothed 
of Pythias: Damon, his wife and child, the 
senators and the executioner. The picture: 
Pythias offering himself as a hostage to Da- 
mon, his friend. The characters were as fol- 
lows: King Dionysius, Willard W. Brown; 
Pythias, William Parker; Pythias' betrothed, 
Mrs. R. L. De Long; Damon, Walter Gled- 
hill; his wife, Mrs. Braman Avers; his child, 
Gladys Crippcn ; IVLister at Arms, Harry 
Painter; attendants to King, H. C. Strube, 
Henry Ferris; senators, John Niles, A. T- 
Merriam, George Avers, James Ckite : ex- 
ecutioner. E. M. Scribner; Roman soldiers 
leading the horses, Henry M. Crippen, Wil- 
liam T. Gray. George Tibbetts and Jonas 
Smith. The costumes were very gorgeous, 
and correctly represented the magnificence of 
the early Roman era. The float was drawn by 
four iron gray horses decked in Roman horse 
trimmings. 

A very attractive float was that of the Re- 
bekahs. L O. O. F. The decorations corres- 
ponded to the scene which was a representa- 
tion of Rebekah and her attendants at the 
well. On pennants at each corner of the float 
were the bee hive, dove, moon and stars, the 
emblems of the order. Miss Anna Finnemore 
represented Rebekah; the banner bearers were 
Mrs. D. N. Hammond, Mrs. George DeCora, 
Miss Ada Miller, Miss Celia Castle: the staff 
bearers Pearl L'Amoreaux, Ethel Earl, Jennie 
Siemer, Sophia Beek, Hilda Boocock, Edith 
Finnemore, Lelia Johnson, Elsie Arnold. 

The order of Maccabees was represented 
by a float, handsomely decorated and present- 



mg a fine appearance. In the centre of the 
float, was a perfect representation of a large 
bee hive, about which there were bees about to 
enter. The banner bearers were Laura Part- 
ridge, Ethel Van Alstyne, Nellie Herald; 
standard bearers, Marion Rockwell, Eleanor 
Baker, Mary Jones, Gladys Foote; driver of 
team, William Mould. 

The two largest industries in the village 
were represented in the parade. The Union 
Bag and Paper Company by a float illustrat- 
mg their productions from nature's tree to 
the manufactured paper bag. Displayed on 
the float, which was finely decorated, were 
the pulp wood, the manufactured pulp and 
the paper bag. Misses Mabel Coleman and 
Anna Kyack handed out souvenirs of small 
paper bags all along the line of march. 

The float of the American Hide and Leather 
Company displayed a variety of leather from 
the crudest tanning to the most highly finished 
product, made for the occasion by James 
Painter. The float was decorated with a pro- 
fusion of American flags and a design of an 
American Indian and a bull's head. Misses 
Jennie Denn, Anna Mav Fisher, Josephine 
Denn. Lcona Mae Tabor, Esther Ryan, 
Katharine Doherty, Flora Flinton and Helen 
Harrison, in appropriate costume, added 
beauty to utility in the representation. 

The Pioneer Paper Mill was represented by 
a handsomely decorated float, showing the 
process of paper making. The passing of the 
paper through the machine, and winding into 
rolls ready for shipment was very ingeniously 
represented. The occupants of the float were 
E. Butler, D. Hunter and R. Morrissey. 

LINE OF MARCH. 

The line of march was from Ballston street 
to Bath street, to Front, to Milton avenue, to 
Middlebrook street, to South, to Milton ave- 
nue, to Pleasant street, to Beach, to High and 
westward on High street to Bath street, where ■ 
the parade was dismissed. i 

When the right of the line reached the re- "' 
viewing stand in front of Christ Church 
parish house on High street, the parade halted, 
and President Wiswall, General King, and 
the occupants of the carriages occupied the ■{ 
platform, while the parade passed in review, " 
amid continuous cheering and applause. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



203 



NOTES OF THE PARADE. 

THE BANDS. 

Doring's Band, of Troy, which is famous 
throughout the United States, and which is 
one of the oldest, as well as one of the best 
military bands in the country, was very ap- 
propriately given first place in the line. This 
Band was organized by the late Charles Bor- 
ing more than half a century ago, and is now 
led by his son, Professor George Doring. 
Thirty-five men were in line, and their mag- 
nificent playing was greeted with heartiest 
applause all along the route of the march. 

Mr. Edward F. Peck, Manager of the 
Schenectady Railway, and Mr. George E. 
Gill, of Luna Park, contributed liberally to 
the parade by sending a platoon of Luna Park 
police, fourteen conductors and motermen of 
the Railway Company, and Fairman's Boston 
Band, which headed the Third Division. This 
was the Band which gave the splendid con- 
cert Monday afternoon, and their playing 
during the march was very fine. 

The Citizens' Band of Ballston Spa, with 
twenty-five men, led the Second Division. 
No doubt the occasion and their home pride 
inspired them to do their very best. They 
played in splendid style, and were generously 
applauded. 

The Centennial Drum Corps of Ballston 
Spa furnished martial music for the Fourth 
Division in spirited and admirable style. 

INTERESTING FEATURES. 

The mode of travel in by-gone days was 
illustrated in a unique manner by the old 
post-coach "Rambler." More than sixty years 
has passed since William Gilson, of Galway 
village, first drove this old coach, then one of 
the finest in the land, from Galway to Balls- 
ton Spa. Well does the writer recall with 
what interest the boys of old Galway watched 
for the daily return of the stage-coach, with 
its splendid double team of bays, heralded by 
the strident tone of the stage-horn half a mile 
away. Gilson was the typical stage-driver of 
early days, good-natured, easy-going, and 
with a fund of local anecdotes that beguiled 
the two hours' journey, including the stop at 
Speir's Corners to change the mails. A 
worthy successor was "Marve" Chase, who 
drove the old coach some thirty years ago. 
The coach was occupied by the members of 



the senior class of the High School, Misses 
Aileen Reilly, Helen Clements, Mary Van 
Buren, Ruth Neal, Anna Bush, Edith Eede, 
Nellie Anderson, Arabella Fuller, Frances 
Finley, Messrs. Wyatt Pickering, Joseph 
Humphrey and Henry Humphrey. 

The E. M. Brown Rifle Corps attracted 
considerable attention, and elicited frequent 
applause. This company of thirty children 
were from the Chatfield Corners district school 
in Greenfield, and their ages raged from five 
to sixteen years. For some time they had 
been drilled by "Drummer Boy" Davenport, 
of that town, who claims the distinction of 
having been the youngest soldier in the civil 
war. Clad in an attractive costume and car- 
rying model rifles the children went through 
a number of evolutions in fine style and with 
admirable precision. 

Company L, of the Second Regiment, New 
York State Militia, of Saratoga Springs, 
under Captain John K. Walbridge, had the 
post of honor at the right of the line. The 
soldierly bearing and fine marching of the 
Company was greeted with salvos of applause 
as they marched through the crowded streets. 

Our "fire laddies" showed they had not 
forgotten the skill in marching movements 
which has won for them many prizes in drill 
contests. Three times they have been pro- 
claimed the champions of the State. As they 
marched by in military formation, or drawing 
their hose carts, they received an ovation at 
every point. 

Fully ten thousand people witnessed the 
parade as it passed through the streets of the 
village. It was a good-natured, happy 
crowd, and no disturbance or disorder of any 
kind marred the jollity of the passing hours. 
Even the thunder storm did not dampen the 
jubilant spirit of the great concourse of vil- 
lagers and the village guests. 

Misses Josephine and Nora O'Rourke of 
Saratoga Springs and Miss Mabel Gleason of 
Mechanicville. showered the carriages contain- 
ing the trustees with flowers as the parade 
passed. It was a very pretty conception. The 
Misses O'Rourke are nieces of Trustee Miller. 

The Ballston Journal speaking of the parade, 
said : 

"Old Sol was on duty early yesterday morning 
and by the time the parade had formed had sent the 
thermometer dancing up into the nineties. It was 
a warm reception he gave both the visiting and local 



204 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



companies, so that by the time they had reached 
their position in the formation they were glad to 
take refuge under the shade of the large elm trees 
that lined the streets. If he had only continued to 
do duty for an hour longer instead of allowing 
Jupiter Pluvius to get in his innings all would have 
been forgiven. All is well that ends well, and the 
parade was a success in spite of the heavy thunder 
storm that marred a portion of it, and disappointed 
some of the watchers along the line of march. 

"It was a sight not soon to be forgotten by those 
who viewed the parade on Front street and Milton 
avenue. Both streets were packed beyond the curbs 
with thousands of spectators and as the companies 
marched past to inspiring music of the bands, with 
the gaily decorated buildings, hardly anything more 
pleasing from a spectacular point of view could well 
be imagined. 

"At eleven o'clock the formation of the line was 
complete and Marshal O'Brien gave the word to 
Capt. Walbridge, of Company L, and headed by 
Boring's band the parade started from the corner 
of Ballston and High streets. 

"Owing to the fact that the owners of the auto- 
mobiles said it was impracticable for them to keep 
in the line and run at slow speed for so long, it 
was arranged for them to go over the line first. 
About twenty autos, occupied mostly by young 
ladies, went rapidly over the line prior to the reg- 
ular parade. 

"It was very much regretted by everybody, and 
perhaps more so by the children, that the pupils of 
the village schools were unable, on account of the 
thunder storm, to take their appointed part in the 
parade. To save the little ones a long march, it 
was arranged for them to assemble at the Bath 
street school and fall in line as the parade reached 
Van Buren street on Milton avenue. The children 
fell in line at this point as arranged and marched 
to the north end when the storm caused them to 
take refuge in the South street school and houses. 
Only a small portion of the town thus had the 
pleasure of seeing the children in line." 

It is an interesting comparison to note that 
in the semi-centennial parade in 1826, forty- 
three years after the close of the war, thirty- 
seven veterans of the Revolution were in the 
line. In the centennial parade of 1907, forty- 
two years after the close of the civil war, 
forty veterans of the war of the Rebellion 
were in the line. 

THE ADDRESSES. 

At half-past two o'clock the Revolutionary 
bell hanging in the tower of the Parish House 
of Christ Church summoned the people to 
the crowning event of the Centennial Cele- 
bration. 

When the exercises began, with a selection 
by Doring's Band, five thousand people had 



assembled under the arching elms at the in- 
tersection of Milton avenue, Church avenue. 
High and Low streets. The speakers' stand 
was erected immediately in front of the Parish 
House, which was originally built for a State 
Armory, and tlic headquarters of the old 
Twenty-ninth Regiment of the State Militia, 
and is one of the old landmarks of the village. 




IK\ i.vr, W. WISW.\LL. 

Village President Irving W. Wiswall gave 
the address of welcome, saying: 

"Ladies and Gentlemen : The Village of Balls- 
ton Spa, extends its welcome and greetings to this 
vast concourse of people assembled here to-day. 
Centennial greetings come to us only on rare oc- 
casions indeed. An hundred years, by far, exceeds 
the lifetime of the oldest resident in this com- 
munity. In this great Empire State of ours there 
are but a half dozen villages that can proudly claim 
to have experienced a rounded century of munic- 
ipal government. 

"The celebration which we have inaugurated and 
are now carrying forth, is not only to com- 
memorate, but to sanction and confirm the wisdom, 
of those hardy pioneers, who chose this beautiful 
valley, and amid these picturesque hills, as a fitting 
and proper place, to establish a little village settle- 
ment, where churches could be erected, school 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



205 



houses builded, temples of justice reared, and where 
the tradesman could exchange his wares for the 
products of the farm and factory. 

"And thus it was in the long, long ago, that our 
forefathers, recognizing and appreciating the beau- 
ties with which Nature had endowed this spot, and 
having almost Divine faith in the medicinal merits 
of the waters which flowed from its springs, cast 
their lot in this place, and hewed out the forests, 
blasted away the rocks, made crude roads, and con- 
structed their primitive houses, and then, after all 
this was done, they took upon themselves tlie more 
serious question of Government. Realizing that 
Law and Order are the very foundation of society 
and that some form of local government was nec- 



save of Almighty God; men and women to whom 
discouragement and terror, were strangers; men and 
women who surmounted each obstacle as it appeared, 
who were daunted by nothing, and in whose breast 
at all times beat a heart filled with love of Country 
and of God. 

"These, then are the men, and these are the 
women, whose memories, whose acts and whose 
deeds we are celebrating to-day. And who is there 
here, in this great multitude assembled, who belongs 
to and is a citizen of this old historic locality, who 
is not proud that he cSn trace his ancestry back to 
those worthy yeomen who composed the very back- 
bone and sinew of our Country an hundred years 
ago? 




LHRlbl CllUKCII HIGH STREET. ' PARISH HOUSE. 

The Centennial Exercises were held here, the speakers' platform being in front of the Parish House, 



essary, they met in serious deliberation at old 
Brookside, one hundred years ago, and then and 
there, formed the same village government, that we 
the citizens of Ballston Spa delight to honor, and 
to be honored by her on this joyful occasion. 

"The Valley of the Kayaderosseras has always 
been of historic importance. It was the much prized 
and coveted hunting and fishing ground of the early 
tribes of Indians. And the many raids and massa- 
cres made upon the first settlers, attest to the stub- 
bornness and tenacity of the Iroquois, in their loth- 
ness and unwillingness to surrender their favorite 
hunting ground. The local histories of Stone, of 
Walworth and of Sylvester, contain the recital of 
many stirring scenes of bloody contests, which oc- 
curred in this vicinity between the Indians and the 
early settlers during the last quarter of the eight- 
eenth century. 

"As we recall the struggles and hanlships pf those 
men and women, who became the first citizens of 
our village, and the country round about Ballston 
Spa, it fills us anew with patriotic impulses and 
civic pride, to feel and to know, that our forefathers 
were of that sturdy, rugged type, that knew no fear. 



"Let us all feel proud that we are American cit- 
izens, and live in a country whose richest heritage 
is the patriotism of her citizens and whose choicest 
gift to her people is the freedom and liberty which 
is a part of the birth-right guaranteed to every 
American born citizen. 

".Again, let me extend to you all the hospitality 
which our fair Village can ofifer. May you feel that 
you are among your friends to-day and that the 
latch string hangs out for you everywhere. 

"Our one regret is, that the great and good Gov- 
ernor of the State of New York could not be with 
us to-day. It is to him a very great disappointment, 
that the unusual condition of State affairs, make it 
imperative that he remain at the Capitol to-day. 
But he personally delivered to me this message: 
'Give all the people assembled at Ballston Spa my 
love and affection, and tell them I regret very much 
I cannot be with them much as I would like to do 
so." So Governor Hughes is with us in spirit at 
least, and let us be thankful that we have this great 
manly man at the helm of the executive affairs of 
the peerless Empire State. 

"Now, wishing you all joy and happmess, and 



206 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



extending to you, our neighbors and friends, the 
best wishes of all our citizens, I take very great 
pleasure in presenting to you, as the President of 
the Day our most distinguished townsman, who has 
won eminence in the legal world, both at home and 
abroad, the Honorable Judge L'Amoreaux." 

BALLSTON SPA IN HISTORY. 

In taking charge of the exercises Judge 
L'Amoreaux received a very cordial greeting. 
His address was a comprehensive history of 
the village, with sketches of its noted men. 
The address follows : 

"The gracious and kindly words of the President's 
introduction and welcome will be treasured as a 
pleasant memory of this very pleasant occasion. 




HON. J. S. L'AMOREAUX. 

"The speaker is under obligation to various per- 
sons who have aided him in the collection of facts, 
the ground work of to-day's remarks. To all such 
his thanks are extended. 

"We are here to-day to celebrate the one-hundreth 
anniversary of our municipal existence. Our people 
have come from different sections of this great coun- 
try to revisit the scenes of their childhood, to renew 
old acquaintances, or to recall their labors and suc- 
cesses while they were citizens of Ballston. To one 
and all Ballston extends to you a hearty welcome. 
Every house is hospitable, every heart is warm, and 
every hand outstretched in its cordial welcome. 

"And it is well to recall the past, to review the 
progress of a century. To be reminded how this 
village mirrors in itself the progress, the success, 
and the wealth of the great nation. What our 
fathers and our neighbors have done here, the citi- 
zens of the United States all over this vast country 
have done, and we have had our share in building 
up this great and prosperous nation. 

"Behind this century, and largely moulding it, 
were the struggles and wars of the eighteenth cen- 



tury, the contest with the Indians, and the Mother 
country. These troubles, privations and conflicts 
made the men who have contributed so largely to 
the wealth and grandeur of the United States. 

"Much as we may, and ought to deprecate war; 
much as we may, and ought to pray for peace, and 
do all in our power to preserve it, nevertheless, it 
is beyond contradiction that the perils of many 
years of Indian warfare, the privations, the heroism 
of the Revolution, and the sacrifices and bloodshed 
of the Civil War, have done much to toughen the 
fiber, to give endurance and nerve, and persistence 
to the people in time of peace and business activity. 
The men who learn to suffer are wise and strong 
in building business enterprises, in consolidating 
great commercial interests, in financing great com- 
binations of capital, in building railroads, canals, 
steamships, telegraphs. 

"One can scarcely, even with vivid imagination, 
place himself a century ago in the environment of 
that age. With no railroads, with no telegraphs, 
with no steamboats, — for Fulton had but just per- 
fected his invention, — with miserable roads, with 
no postal conveniences, with little means of com- 
munication with the outside world. In such a 
condition a community must, of necessity, grow its 
food, produce and manufacture its clothing, and be, 
in almost every way, dependent upon itself for 
every necessity and comfort of life. The capitol of 
the State was but a few miles away, and yet, in 
that day, a hundred years ago, doubtless many were 
born and have died here, who never traveled so far 
from home as to Albany, and had but small idea 
of the outside' world, and never dreamed of the 
wonders that steam and electricity were to pro- 
duce in a short century. 

"To rehearse the story of these hundred years, to 
review the mighty events which have made and pre- 
,served us a nation, is more interesting and thrilling 
than the most popular romance. Out of this very 
soil, as it were, these things have grown, the years 
as they have come and gone, have woven the fabric 
of the present, and the labors, and privations and 
tears of our fathers and neighbors, have colored 
this fabric with its beautiful and variegated hues. 

"In the constant onward march of the years, which 
knows no backward step, but ever moves on and 
on to the end of the ages, we halt for a brief mo- 
ment at this close of century of village life, to re- 
call memories of the past, — to bring to our remem- 
brance the men who have trod the stage of action — 
and to review the scenes and incidents which have 
contributed to the record of our historic life. 

"A hundred years is only a leaf from the book of 
time, yet what marvellous changes have been 
wrought in a little more than a century past. 
Where this beautiful village now stands, with its 
pleasant homes, its thriving industries and busy life, 
was then a primeval forest ; the favorite hunting 
ground of the tribes of the Six Nations; the 'happy 
valley of the healing waters,' which, to the un- 
tutored Indians were the especial gift of the Great 
Spirit. The axe of the pale-face had not been laid 
to the root of the grand old monarchs of the woods. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



207 



and 'when the autumnal glories had fallen upon 
the forest,' and the tribes took to the old trails 
whicli led to the hunting grounds around the 
springs in the valley of the Kayaderosseras, no 
warrior's hand brandished the tomahawk or drew 
taut the bow-string except as the frightened deer 
bounded across the trail, or the fierce grizzly con- 
tested the woodland path. The 'valley of the crook- 
ed stream' was neutral ground, and through the 
brief Indian summer, on lake and stream, and in 
the forests depths, all was peace— and at the close 
of the hunting season, well-laden with their spoils, 
Mohawk and Oneida, Iroquois and Algonquin— took 
the homeward trail, and the 'Indian's Paradise' 
was left in quiet solitude until another twelve moons 
should come and go. 

"But the advent of the pale-face was at hand. In 
the summer of 1771 a little company of surveyors 
halted in the noon-day heat, on the brow of the hill 
yonder, not a thousand feet from where we are 
standing. Looking down through the giant pines, 
they saw the sparkling water of a small stream as 
it flowed across the Indian clearing at the foot of 
the hill. Hurrying down to the bank of the stream, 
they discovered the ancient Indian spring of 'heal- 
ing water.' 

"Beriah Palmer, who was in charge of the party, 
built a rude enclosure of logs around the spring, to 
secure it from the inroads of the creek nearby. 
Palmer was from New York, and when he returned 
to that city in the autumn, he told of his discovery 
of the medicinal spring. ■ It was this circumstance 
which led to the settlement of Ballston Spa. 

"For a number of years, however, no one 'settled' 
near the spring. Numerous parties visited the local- 
ity, camping out near the spring, or stopping with 
the settlers a mile or more to the south. After 
the close of the Revolutionary War the visitors to 
the spring rapidly increased in number, and about 
the year 1787, a log tavern was erected on the hill 
about where the surveying party halted years be- 
fore, and a second log tavern was built just west 
of the spring. A few years later this primitive 
hotel gave place to a large frame building, later 
known as the Aldridge House, and now known as 
'Brookside.' 

"The same year, Nicholas Low, a New York 
merchant, also built a large hotel east of the spring, 
and a small hamlet called Ballstown Springs sprang 
up in the immediate vicinity. The fame of the 
springs as a summer resort spread abroad, and in 
1804 Mr. Low opened the Sans Souci Hotel to the 
public. It was the largest and finest hotel in the 
United States, and in succeeding years entertained 
such noted men as Jerome Bonaparte, ex-King of 
Spain. Presidents Jackson, Van Buren and Pierce, 
also Clay, Webster and Calhoun, three, great and 
inseparable names in American history; Governors 
Clinton and Marcy, General Wool, Commodores 
Hull and Decatur, J. Fenimore Cooper and Wash- 
ington Irving, Seward, Douglas and Prince Louis 
Napoleon, the last Emperor of France. In fact, the 
old register of this famous hotel was a most com- 
plete roll of the great names in those early days 
of American history. Numerous mineral springs 



wtre developed, and Ballston Spa was at the zenith 
of its renown, and for a quarter of a century main- 
tained its proud position as the 'first watering place 
of America.' From some unknown cause the 
springs began to fail and the rival village to the 
north soon gained the first place, and Saratoga be- 
came, and is to-day one of, if not the, most famous 
summer resort in the United States. 

"The location of the county seat in the village 
in 1816, gave political pre-eminence to Ballston Spa. 
When its fame as a watering place began to de- 
cline, attention was turned to the splendid water 
power afforded by the Kayaderosseras. Manufac- 
tories were built in the village and all along the 
stream for twelve miles to the north, and the in- 
dustrial prosperity of the village, more enduring 
than its earlier fame as a summer resort, was 
secured, and to-day our thriving, happy village is 
one of the great industrial centres of Northern New 
York. 

"Having thus briefly sketched the settlement and 
growth of the village, let us now recall memories 
of honored citizens who served well their day and 
generation and have left to us a noble heritage. 
First among a long line of prominent public men 
stands John W. Taylor, whose home was on West 
High street, not far from where we are assembled. 
In 1812 and '13 he was a member of the state as- 
sembly, and in the latter year was elected repre- 
sentative in Congress. During his long service of 
twenty years in the House, he gained national celeb- 
rity as a brilliant orator and statesman, and one of 
the leaders of public opinion. A contemporary of 
Webster, Calhoun and Clay, he succeeded the latter 
as speaker of the House, and has the distinction of 
being the only representative of the Empire State 
who has occupied the third position in our national 
government. Mr. Taylor delivered the first speech 
in Congress in opposition to the extension of slavery. 
It was a powerful and eloquent address, foretelling 
the dangers which threatened the government from 
'that blot on the nation's escutcheon— the slave sys- 
tem of the South.' The speech was printed arid 
widely circulated, causing heated discussions in 
many localities. The most popular citizen in all- 
this region — in frequent demand as the orator on 
public occasions of every character, yet, with all the 
honors which came to him, lie remained a modest, 
courtly gentleman of the old school. Fond of his 
home, his garden and flowers — deeply interested 
in the life of our village — the organizer and 
teacher of a large adult Sunday school class — and 
having a part in every movement for the benefit of 
his home town, Mr. Taylor was highly esteemed by 
all who knew him, and was frequently spoken of as 
Ballston's first citizen. 

"Another honored citizen who became distin- 
guished in public life was James M. Cook. A mem- 
ber of the Constitutional convention of 1846, he was 
one of the leaders of that eminent body, which was 
styled 'the collected wisdom of the state.' .\s state 
senator for several terms: state treasurer; state 
comptroller, and superintendent of the state bank- 
ing department for a number of years, he served 
his constituents and the state at large, with signal 



208 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



ability. He organized the first bank in the village, 
and was its president for twenty years. He was 
also one of our leading manufacturers, and con- 
tributed in no small degree to the prosperity of the 
community. 

"Joel Lee, one of the earliest residents was twice 
elected to the assembly; postmaster for thirty-six 
years, and a leading merchant for half a century. 
James \V. Horton, a name familiar all over Sara- 
toga county, was for thirty-nine years county 
clerk, holding the office at the time of his death. 
Neil Gihnour, school commissionet, and for nine 
years state superintendent of public instruction. 
Isaiah Blood, manufacturer, state senator and as- 
semblyman ; George W. Chapman, canal commis- 
sioner and assemblyman ; George West, manufac- 
turer, assemblyman and representative in Congress ; 
George G. Scott, judge of the county courts, state 
senator, assemblyman and supervisor for nineteen 
years ; John W. Thompson, surrogate twelve years, 
and bank president for forty years. 

"A long list of men distinguished for high char- 
acter and marked efficiency. Successful in their 
private business, faithful in the discharge of public 
duty, their names are held in honored remembrance. 

"No less honorable and distinguished have been 
the members of the legal profession. Time will 
permit only the briefest mention. From the earli- 
est days to the present time we recall the names of 
Samuel Cook, Levi Palmer, Anson Brown, Wil- 
liam A. Beach, born in Ballston Spa, a leader of 
the bar of the United States ; a pleader and an 
orator of rare gifts, who had few equals. William 
T. Odell, district attorney ; George G. Scott, county 
judge; John Brotherson, Seth Whalen, C. C. Hill, 
David Maxwell, John C. Booth ; T. F. Hamilton and 
John Person, district attorneys — all men of more 
than ordinary legal attainments, and highly re- 
spected as citizens. 

"Among the physicians, who enter more closely 
into the home life of a community than the mem- 
bers of any other profession, have been Samuel 
Freeman, John H. Steele, A. J. Chadsey, Qiarles 
Andrus, Leverett Moore — for more than half a 
century the leading physician of our village; Drs. 
No.xon, Sherman, Weed and Lawrence. 

"In the sacred calling of the ministry are such 
distinguished names as Elias Lee, Norman Fox, 
Elias H. Johnson, professor in Crozer Theological 
Seminary ; Samuel Irenaeus Prime. David Tully, 
Drs. A. R. Olney and S. A. Hayt; Bishop Worth- 
ington, Drs. Babcock, Geer, Delafield and Pelle- 
treau ; Drs. Robinson, Squires, Loomis, Coleman, 
Washburn, Russum, Zweifel, Smith and Hall; 
Fathers Havermans, Cull, Lowery and McDonough. 

"And among the members of the press, who have 
done much to mould the character of our village 
life are James Comstock, Ulysses F. Doubleday, 
Horatio Gates Spafford, the eminent historian, 
and Henry L. Grose, for forty years editor of the 
Ballston Journal, one of the oldest of our institu- 
tions, having celebrated its centennial nine years ago. 

"We should be remiss did we not mention Balls- 
ton's celebrated schools of earlier years, before the 



present system of high schools had been inaugu- 
rated. 

"Rev. Darius O. Griswold, Lebbeus Booth, Rev. 
Deodatus Babcock, and sons, John and Theodore, ' 
John W. Fowler, the brilliant lawyer and founder * 
of the National Law School in the old Sans Souci; ' 

James Gilmour, Nathaniel J. and Charles D. Seely, ' 
were men eminent in their profession, of broad cul- 
ture and great learning. Their schools were nota- i 
ble for thoroughness and efficiency. I 

"And so I might continue almost indefinitely, 
but I must forbear, simply mentioning the names 
of some of our most prominent business men which 
are entitled to a place in our village 'hall of fame.' 

"Beginning with the incorporation of the village, 
and continuing down through the years we find the 
names of Epenetus White, the first merchant in the 
village; Joel Lee, Moses Williams, Reuben and John 
H. Westcot, EH Barnum, Archy Kasson, Joseph 
Jennings, the McMasters, James Merrill, Joshua B. 
Aldridge, Samuel and Andrew Smith, Reuben 
Sears, the Allcott brothers, S. B. Medbery, Edward 
W. Lee, Lemet Williams, W. K. Booth, A. D. W. 
Garrett, L. W. Bristol, Samuel Gould, C. M. No.xon, 
H. Crapo, Arnold Harris, William Brown, C. F. 
Wiley. W. A. Laflin, O. D. Vaughn, James F. Peck- 
ham, W. W. Arnold, John Wait, Samuel H. Cook, 
Jonas A. Hovey, Eli Settle, Hiro Jones, John Mc- 
Lean and the Luthers — but I must refrain, though 
the roll is far from complete. 

"Before introducing the orator of the day, per- 
mit me to refer to some events worthy your atten- 
tion. Since 1807, remarkable discoveries have been 
made, and the last one hundred years may very 
properly be called the wonder-century of the world's 
history. 

"Others may speak of the marvellous deeds of 
this marvellous age — may I recall some occurrences 
of local interest? The second railroad in the state 
was built from Schenectady to Ballston, and the 
third from Troy to Ballston, the first railway train 
arriving in the village in 1832. Prior to that time 
two lines of post coaches, one to Albany and one 
to Schenectady carried the thousands of summer 
visitors to Ballston and Saratoga. 

"In 1853 the first telegraph office was opened, 
and the Ballston Journal said : 'With proper en- 
couragement on the part of our citizens the office 
will be sustained, and may even be made profitable.' 
The first paper bags were made in this village, and 
the first paper collars and cuffs were made by L. 
M. Crane, who lived here, his mill being located 
about two miles north of the village. 

"Timothy Bailey, the inventor of the knitting 
machine, which revolutionized that business, was 
one of our respected citizens. 

"The telegraph instrument in universal use to- 
day and which supplemented the original Morse 
machines, was the invention of our townsman, 
Samuel F. Day, who also discovered the method 
of telegraphing with safety during thunderstorms. 

"The first machine for making paper bags was 
invented in our village, and the first machine 
for combining paper with cloth was the invention 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



209 



of one of the proprietors of the Glen Paper Collar 
Company of Ballston Spa. The first household 
clothes-wringers were made in West Milton and 
sold in Ballston Spa. 

"In the never-ceasing activities of our business 
life; amid the scenes of festivity; or in the more 
quiet pleasures of the home circle, has the patriotic 
spirit of our people lain dormant? Far from it — let 
the record of the years make answer. In Revolu- 
tionary times, surrounded by tories and no less 
hostile Indians, who threatened the widely scattered 
cabin homes of the hardy frontiersmen, many loyal 
men joined the patriot forces in the field, and those 



as a testimony of the loyalty and devotion of Balls- 
ton's patriotic heroes. 

"A peculiar honor fell to our village in the fol- 
lowing incident, eloquently told by another: 'When 
treason was sprouting forth in its first uprising at 
Charleston, an officer of the United States Army 
walking boldly forth in the streets of that city, with 
a proud manhood that should give everlasting honor 
to his name, denounced it openly and bravely. 
Gladly he answered the call of duty to his flag and 
his country. The firing upon the flag at Fort Sumt- 
ter found him at his post ; he fired the first gun in 
the defense of the Union and the flag; and this was 




".\ BOWER OF ELMS"— HIGH STREET. 



who remained were to be found enrolled in the 
Committee of Safety, ever watchful and prompt to 
defeat the disloyal schemes of their traitorous neigh- 
bors, and aiding by every means in their power the 
cause of liberty. 

"Again in 1812, Ballston hears its country's call, 
and many of her noble sons march to the conflict. 
And in 1847 a heroic band of young men from our 
village join the forces of Scott and Taylor in 
Mexico; and in yonder cemetery an imperishable 
monument erected by our citizens, perpetuates the 
memory of those who found a soldier's grave on 
the battlefields of Vera Cruz and Churubusco. 

"And in that tremendous conflict between North 
and South, which was to make our country the land 
of the free in very deed as well as name — the 
Civil War of '61 to '65 — more than two hundred 
brave boys marched forth from our village in de- 
fense of the Union, and the splendid monument in 
the heart of our village shall stand through the ages 



a son of Ballston — born in yonder house near the 
Sans Souci — General Doubleday, then captain of 
the First Artillery of the United States Army sta- 
tioned at Fort Sumter. Honor to Doubleday — 
honor to Ballston.' 

"And once more, when war was declared against 
Spain, for the liberation of Cuba, 'the pride of the 
Antilles,' from centuries of oppression, honor comes 
to our village through one of her brave sons. 
Among the company which in 1847 joined the United 
States Army in Mexico, was William H. McKittrick, 
and when President Lincoln called for volunteers 
in '61, McKittrick was one of the first of Ballston's 
young men to respond to the country's call. He 
lost his life gallantly leading his company to the 
assault, in the battle of Chapin's Farm, in Virginia. 
Here, in his home, hii= widow and a young son and 
a daughter survived. A mere lad at the time of the 
Civil War, Will McKittrick. grown to man's estate, 
is commissioned a captain of volunteers on the stafi 



210 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF DALI.STON SPA 



of Major-General Shafter, and bravely bears his 
part in the battles around Santiago ; and when vic- 
tory perches upon our banners, it is Captain Mc- 
Kittrick's hand which hoists aloft for the first time 
on Cuban soil, the stars and stripes over the gov- 
ernment building in Santiago. 

"Once more honor comes to a Ballston boy, and 
to Ballston Spa, as 'Old Glory' proudly waves in 
the breeze, proclaiming liberty to a long-suffering 
people. And thus it has ever been since that 
memorable victory on the heights of old Saratoga 
in 1777. The spirit of '76 and of '61 still survives 
in the heart of every loyal American. 

"One other reference and I will give way. Balls- 
ton Spa has witnessed other centennials within its 
borders. The centennial of American Independ- 
ence in 1876: of Christ Church in 1887: of the 
Baptist Church in i8q!, and of the Ballston Journal 
in 1898. The most celebrated of all was the semi- 
centennial of American Independence in 1826. 

"Hon. John W. Taylor delivered the oration on 
this occasion, and I find no more fitting words with 
which to close than the words of that distinguished 
statesman, Ballston's illustrious son, as he finished 
an oration remarkable for its choice rhetoric and 
eloquent periods. Mr. Taylor said : 

"I should illy requite the breathless attention of 
this crowded audience were I to weary it with de- 
tails of those facts which compose our -history. But 
before I close, permit me to add that as citizens of 
New York we have especial cause for gratitude and 
joy. At the adoption of the Federal Constitution 
this State was inferior in political power to three 
members of the Confederacy. It was equal only to 
the fourth. Her population and wealth have long 
since placed her at the head of the union. The 
successful application of steam, to the purpose of 
navigation, and the construction of the Erie and 
Champlain canals, which have illustrated her an- 
nals are events too immensely important to our na- 
tion and to the world to pass this day without hon- 
orable mention. These monuments, the glory of 
our state and of the age, conquering time and an- 
nihilating space, will remain while the elements en- 
dure, diffusing unnumbered blessings to the human 
race. The men whose genius planned : whose in- 
tellect directed; whose perseverance accomplished 
them, have earned a most enviable fame. Their 
names will be transmitted to posterity high on the 
roll of public benefactors. What though our poli- 
tics have been termed ferocious, and the fluctua- 
tions of our parties derided ! What though slanders, 
propagated by some in error, by others in design, 
occasionally assail our public men, and may for a 
time diminish confidence in their talents or integrity. 
These partial evils, perhaps necessarily incident 
to our free institutions, are but the spots on our 
sun's disc, which, unseen or disregarded by the 
myriads who rejoice in its li.ght and are warmed 
by its beams, subtract little from its matchless efful- 
gence. But the public works of our State, the mag- 
nificent metropolis and flourishing villages, her 
ever multiplying institutions for charity, for science, 
for the arts, for social improvements, 'these,' in the 
language of a living statesman, have gone on, are 



going on, and I trust will go on, in the attainment 
of these great objects of social organization." 

I 

"the st.\r spangled banner." I 

\ 
At the conclusion of Judge L'Amoreaux's 

address a chorus of one hundred and fifty ' 

children from the public schools, under the 

direction of Mr. Edward F. Grose, and ac- i 

companied by Doring's Band, sang "The Star 

Spangled Banner." It was a beautiful thought 

to have the children take part in the exer- 1 

cises, and their clear, sweet voices rising in 

the patriotic strains of the national anthem 

gave added inspiration to the occasion. 

THE ORATION. 

President L'Amoreaux then introdticed 
General Horatio C. King, of New York City, 
who delivered the Centennial Oration. IMr. 
King spoke as follows : 

"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — Civic 
pride is the basis of good government. 'It's a mean 
bird that fouls its own nest' should be posted over 
the portals of every legislative body and hung on 
the walls of every public office. 'The safety and 
perpetuity of a Republican form of government rests 
solely upon an honest administration of public 
affairs. The rapid iiicrease of graft bodes ill for 
the Nation, and the necessity for a higher standard 
of civic morals is too manifest to require argument. 
Honesty in commercial affairs is everywhere de- 
manded, and the man who robs and cheats 'lis neigh- 
bor, even if he escapes the penalty of the law, is 
speedly ostracised and driven from the marts of 
trade. Strangely enough, the high standard of 
morality demanded in private transactions does not 
seem to be required in public office and hundreds 
of men who have successfully filched from the pub- 
lic til! are still sustained by partisan followers who 
have been or expect to be recipients of political 
favors. The City of Dublin proposes to extend the 
great honor of the Freedom of the City to a self- 
exiled satrap of New York City, a sudden multi- 
millionaire, who has never yet been able to answer 
the potent and pungent question, 'Where did you 
get it?' The revelations of the past few years have 
astounded the world and the end is not yet. The 
Mayor of San Francisco is convicted of black-mail, 
and his maker, and confederate, a political boss is a 
self-confessed extortioner, while a large number of 
hitherto respected and influential citizens have been 
indicted as wholesale bribers to secure public fran- 
chises. The State Capitol at Harrisburg will stand 
as a perpetual monument of swindling that make 
the New York County Court House and Bill Tweed 
shrink to pigmies in comparison. Buf' these cases 
are not exceptional. Scarcely an important city 
throughout the United States is free from the 
plunder of unprincipled men, who, while they would 
scorn to steal from their neighbors, are conscience- 
less in their larcenies from the public funds. Vast 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



211 



corporations bribe legislative bodies and municipal, 
to secure unfair concessions, and some have attained 
such far reaching power as to defy the law and 
practically assume the position of that first great 
plunderer, with the query, 'What are you going 
to do about it?' Political parties, especially in great 
cities, select for their candidates not men who are 
above suspicion, but rather those who are 'avail- 
able,' which is interpreted in the political vernacular 
to mean those who are vulnerable or ready and 
pliant tools of the machine. 

"That graft has become so wide-spread is due 
to the inertness and non-resistance of the great 
mass of the people who happily are still honest. 
They stand idly by and suffer the dishonest minor- 
ity to continue their nefarious practices until some 
great rascality arouses them to action, and when 
the explosion is over they again fall back into their 
habits of listlessness and apparent unconcern. They 
neglect the ounce of prevention w'hich is better than 
a pound of cure. These occasional spasms of re- 
form are but a temporary check to the encroach- 
ments of the undesirable citizens who repossess 
themselves of the civic machinery and continue 
their nefarious work. 

"Happily for the welfare of the nation, the great 
crimes against the body politic are chiefly in the 
large cities. The country at large is honest. Those 
whom the immortal Lincoln was wont to call the 
Common People still cherish honesty, not because 
it is the best policy but because it is right. Lincoln 
said he was sure God must love the Common Peo- 
ple, because he made so many of them, and certain 
it is that to them we must look in largest measure 
for the preservation of those traditions and that 
integrity which are the rock of our foundation. 
Religion and education are the twin sisters of civ- 
ilization, nor can too much stress be laid upon the 
former. 

"Said Washington in his farewell address, which 
though much neglected is still a potent chart for 
our guidance : 'Of all the dispositions and habits 
which lead to political prosperity, religion and mo- 
rality are indispensable supports. In vain would ' 
that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should 
labor to subvert these great pillars of human hap- 
piness, these firmest props of the duties of men and 
citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious 
man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume 
could not trace all their connections with public 
and private felicity. Let it simply be asked, where 
is the security for property, for reputation, for life, 
if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths 
which are the instruments of investigation in courts 
of justice? And let us with caution indulge the 
supposition that morality can be maintained with- 
out religion. Whatever may be conceded to the 
influence of refined education on minds of peculiar 
structure, reason and experience both forbid us to 
expect that national morality can prevail in ex- 
clusion of religious principles. It is substantially 
true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of 
popular government. The rule extends with more 
or less force to every species of free government 
Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with 



inditference upon attempts to shake the foundation 
of the fabric?' 

"But, why, I hear you say, this seemingly irrel- 
evant thesis on public and individual morality? Be- 
cause, I answer, I see here a civic pride which 
augurs well for the community and the happiness 
and prosperity of the beautiful village whose Cen- 
tennial Anniversary we celebrate to-day. 

"Just why you should send for me, a resident 
of the great metropolis, to sound your praises I 
am at a loss to comprehend, unless it be that an 
innate modesty restrains you from blowing your 
own trumpet. Possibly you are not mindful of that 
proverb, which I would not care to attribute to Sol- 
omon, that 'he who bloweth not his own horn, by no 
man shall his horn be blown?' Yet I am sure there 
are those of your own residents better fitted for the 
pleasant task than myself, nor can I expect to do 
more than to present to you a brief summary of a 
thrice told tale, so fully and so ably given in your 
excellent local papers. 

"Saratoga county is probably the most widely 
known county in this country, for Saratoga has been 
a household word since the important battle of the 
Revolution which was the beginning of the end of 
the English rule over the Colonies. That battle holds 
a conspicuous place in English as well as Amer- 
ican History, for it was practically a Waterloo to 
British hopes. It was the turning point in the Rev- 
olutionary struggle. New York City as well as the 
adjacent counties was held by the British troops. 
Sir Henry Clinton with a fleet of transports was 
about to ascend the Hudson. Another British force 
under St. Leger was to land at Oswego and march 
down the Mohawk Valley. Burgoyne. covered with 
laurels because of his brilliant services in Spain, 
with an army of Spanish-war veterans, moved down 
the upper Hudson to eflfect a junction with Clinton 
and St. Leger. This combined movement it was 
expected would crush Gates and terminate the re- 
bellion. But Providence favored the coming nation. 
Clinton was laggard and St. Leger was held up at 
Fort Stanwix by our forces. The undisciplined 
Continentals in their ragged regimentals moved out 
to meet Burgoync's disciplined regulars and within 
twelve miles of this spot on the plains of Saratoga, 
they met. they saw, they conquered. The encourage- 
ment given to the feeble colonies by this event can- 
not be over-estimated. Surely Ballston Spa has a 
right to a full share in the glory of this achieve- 
ment. 

"It is interesting to note here that Saratoga de- 
rived its name from a town on the Hudson. Schuy- 
lerville. formerly known as Saraghtoga. an Indian 
name signifying 'Swift Water' to distinguish it 
from the still waters which there begin. The patent 
of Kayaderosseras which included this land was 
granted by Queen .^nn and contained about 400.000 
acres. Under a partition in 1770, the tract em- 
bracing the Saratoga Springs fell to Rip Van Dam, 
and that at Ballston Spa to Major Bickley. two of 
the original patentees. 

"Saratoga county for one hundred years formed 
a part of Albany county and was set off as a sep- 
arate county in 17QT. This w-as once a part of the 



212 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



domain of the Mohawk Indians and here, and hear- 
abouts many bloody conflicts were had between 
that powerful tribe and the Canada or Northern 
Indians known as the Hurons, the Algonquins and 
the Adirondacks." • 

At this point Gen. King gave a brief his- 
torical sketch of the village, which is omitted 
here. Continuing, the speaker said: 

"But I must leave to the historians with more time 
and space than can be properly used in an address 
of this character the pleasant duty of elaborating 
the meagre outline I have given of this delightful 
spot, which is an honor to the great Empire State, 
whose praises we are happy to sing, and of the great 
country of which, although not blind to its short- 
comings, we have good reason to be proud. 

"No novel ever so stirred the indignation of the 
American people as Martin Chuzzlewit. Although 
Dickens had ridiculed the weakness of his own 
nation and citizens with unsparing and unequalled 
pungency, our vanity winced under the lash when 
it was applied to ourselves, but the caricature was 
not overdrawn, and the reader of that remarkable 
novel will enjoy and laugh heartily over the truth- 
ful exposition of our national freshness and tend- 
ency to boast. 

"What are you thinking of so steadily?" said 
Martin to Mark Tapley. 

"Why, I was thinking, sir," returned Mark, "that 
if I was a painter and was called upon to paint the 
American eagle, how should I do it?" 

"Paint it as like an eagle as you could, I sup- 
pose." 

"No," said Mark, "that wouldn't do for me, 
sir. I should want to draw it like a Bat for its 
short sightedness; like a Bantam for its bragging; 
like a Magpie, for its honesty : like a Peacock, for 
its vanity; like an Ostrich, for its putting its head 
in the mud and thinks nobody sees it." 

"And like a Phoenix, for its power of springing 
from the ashes of its faults and vices, and soaring 
up anew into the sky !" said Martin. "Well, Mark. 
let us hope so." 

The unexampled prosperity of this great nation 
in the short period of a century and a quarter of 
growth may well turn the heads of the people and 
make them shut their eyes to many dangers which 
threaten the stability of the republic. With an over- 
weening consciousness of the inherent strength of 
a self-governing community, as manifested in the 
great war, we are prone to stand idly by and permit 
the approach and encroachments of evils which, if not 
resisted and overcome, will sap the morality and 
destroy the life of the body politic. It is all very 
well to swell with patriotic pride, wave the Ameri- 
can Flag wildly about our heads and shout until 
we are hoarse: "We are Americans," but it is 
worth while once in a while to subdue our enthu- 
siasm long enough to examine the old flag carefully 
and see if there are not some spots and blemishes 
that disfigure the stripes and dim the lustre of its 
forty-five stars. 



"Oh, wad some power the giftie gie us 
To see ourselves as ithers see us, 
It wad frae monie a blunder free us, 
and foolish notion." 

May we not then with profit spend a few moments 
more in contemplating some of the evils which be- 
set us? 

In the lecture room of Plymouth Qiurch, Brook- 
lyn, hangs the portrait of a prominent member, and 
framed with it is this autograph letter of the great 
English philosopher, Herbert Spencer. It is in re- 
ply to a scheme to bring about a better understand- 
ing between the capitalists and the workingmen. 
He writes in terms ultra-pessimistic but neverthe- 
less worthy of the most careful consideration. Here 
it is: 

Fairfield, Pewsey, Wilts, 
May 28, 1864. 
Dear Mr. Skilton: 

I believe I wished you -good speed in your enter- 
prise, but I believe your enterprise is futile. In the 
United States as here and elsewhere the movement 
towards dissolution of existing social forms and 
reorganization on a socialistic basis, I believe to be 
irresistible. We have bad times before us and you 
have still more dreadful times before you — civil 
war, immense bloodshed and eventually military 
despotism of the severest type. 

Truly yours, 

Herbert Spencer. 

The two great problems now confronting this na- 
tion are the aggressions of greedy and unprincipled 
corporations and great combinations of capital, and 
on the other hand the tyranical oppression of labor 
unions, whose unreasonable demands and reckless 
conduct as particularly disclosed in the awful rev- 
elations in the trial at Boise City, have brought 
shame and reproach upon our fair name. In some 
sense the latter are the logical result of the former, 
but in this law-abiding and peace-loving country 
force is not justifiable and must be suppressed at 
all hazards. 

The revelations of so-called high finance during 
the past j-ear have shocked the moral sense of the 
public in the great agregate, for taking the nation 
as a whole, the people are honest and they mean 
that the ' dangerous few who think money is su- 
preme and can do anything shall be taught respect 
for law or be treated as common criminals. The 
rich man who steals a railroad must fare no better 
than the thief who cracks a safe. Indeed, he should 
fare worse, since by education and environment he 
is better informed and should have a higher appre- 
ciation of his duty as a citizen. 

The lax corporation laws of some of the states 
have made easy robbery of the people by wholesale 
issues of watered stock. 

The issuing of $75,000,000 of capital stock for 
property purchased at $39,000,000, as in t'he notorious 
copper scandal, is a pungent case in point. So the 
operations in the Chicago & Alton Railroad stock 
of recent memory awakened still further the sense 
of insecurity which is shaking our financial system 
to its very centre. I admire and approve the sen- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



213 



timent of the editor of the Norfolk, Va., Pilot, who 
declares that, "It was plunder pure and simple and 
those who committed and benefitted by it differ from 
the ordinary robber and thief only in the size of the 
theft." 

With these and hundreds of like demonstrations 
of the greed of wealth, is it any wonder that there 
has been such a marvelous increase in socialism in 
the past decade? When Tom Watson ran for Pres- 
ident, his small vote provoked only a simple smile. 
But the enormous socialist vote at the last Presi- 
dential election made a profound impression and 
has awakened the sober-minded to the gravity of 
the national peril. 



of the nation. Labor unions are a moral force that 
have greatly elevated the conditions of laboring 
men. I differ with them only when they transgress 
the law and endeavor to enforce their demands by 
mob methods. When they reach this point they are 
a menace and must be restrained. 

Says Utterman, a socialist editor and leader (by 
the way, we find our socialist agitators chiefly 
among the foreign imports) : "It is the capitalist 
class that incites hatred by vulgar display of wealth 
in the face of the suffering multitude. It is the 
capitalists class that destroys the homes and families 
of the workers and confiscates the property of mil- 
lions. It is the injunction, the bullet, the bull pen, 




Let me in parssing say, however, that I am not m 
sympathv with the reckless attack upon all corpora- 
tions because of the venality of a comparatively 
few. The recent wholesale reduction of railroad 
fares to two cents a mile without proper examina- 
tion and careful investigation is a legislative "play 
to the galleries," and I am glad our honored Gov- 
ernor Hughes had the courage to veto that meas- 
ure in our state. Corporations have rights which 
the people are bound to respect, and action against 
them should follow only the due and orderly pro- 
cess of law. 

There is still another prominent menace of equal 
if not greater import to the welfare and continued 
existence of the republic. Of this let me say a 
word : , 

Primarily I state that I have always encouraged 
combinations of labor, for the betterment of _ the 
condition of the laboring men, the bone and sinew 



THE IRON- SPRING, DISCOVERED IN 1874. 



the police club and the militia laws that speak the 
language of hatred and passion." Let me digress 
to say that as soon as a socialist lays up enough 
money to buy a little home, he ceases to be a so- 
cialist. He becomes a capitalist. Such false senti- 
ments represent not socialism but anarchism, pure 
and simple. They strike at the very foundations 
of law and order and would overturn and destroy 
all those methods indispensable to peace and the 
proper conduct of civil administration. It may be 
well, however, to pause for a moment to answer the 
charge that the capitalist is the destroyer of hornes 
by recalling the fact that in 1890 over six million 
families owned their homes, either free of debt or 
partially paid for, while in 1900 the number had 
increased to over seven and a quarter millions, or 
a gain of 1,192,362 in ten years, or at a rate of over 
100 000 a year. It is. a rather significant fact also 
that on the east side in New York City, the homes 



214 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



of wage earners chiefly, one New York piano firm 
alone had sold 2,500 pianos on the installment plan. 
It is claimed by those well informed that in eighty 
per cent, of the leading strikes in this coimtry, the 
question was not one of wages and hours merely. 
but a demand for the recognition of the union, and 
yet only about twenty per cent, of the wage earners 
in this land are members of union organizations. 

The constitutional right of every man to life, lib- 
erty and the pursuit of happiness cannot be im- 
peached, and the right of every inan to work for 
whom he pleases, where he pleases and for what 
he pleases is fundamental and inalienable. It is 
the very foundation stone of our republic, and it is 
going to be maintained, as was the Union, by force 
if necessary. And it will be upheld by the laboring 
classes themselves, who are the most deeply con- 
cerned in the preservation of their individual liberty. 
For those who would take away this inestimable 
right are in a small minority, not exceeding twenty 
per cent., and the eighty per cent, of law-abiding, 
liberty-loving American freemen, slow to anger, will 
in due time rise in their might and crush out the 
rabid, vicious, turbulent and quasi anarchistic ele- 
ment. I think it will be accomplished by peaceable 
methods, but if force should be necessary, the na- 
tion can look to wage earners to establish their God- 
given right, guaranteed by the Constitution. 

The attempt to exclude from the unions public 
spirited men who choose to serve their state and 
nation as members of the National Guard received 
a prompt and almost universal rebuke. It served 
to open the eyes of the people to the aggressive en- 
croachments of labor, and to cause a closer inspec- 
tion of the unlawful regulations by which many 
of the organizations seek to achieve their ends. 
Employers driven into a corner have at last met a 
combination by combination, and employees must 
recede from their unlawful positions or take the 
consequences. The better element, which is in the 
majority, must assert their power and put down 
the mob spirit. This is the United States of Amer- 
ica, in which every man is personally interested in 
maintaining good government and the rule of the 
majority. 

The strained relations between employers and 
employees in most of our large cities is most de- 
plorable. In San Francisco,, the unions have com- 
plete control, capital is diverted and building oper- 
ations in a large measure paralyzed. In Chicago 
the mob spirit is general, and even the courts are 
blocked in their efforts to punish conspiracy, by 
the refusal of the officers of labor unions to pro- 
duce their minutes and regulations on the ground 
that such production would tend to incriminate 
them. In a recent editorial the Brooklyn Eagle, 
vifhich stands pre-eminent as a fearless denunciator 
of mob law, thus sums up the situation: "When 
people cannot bury their dead because of a union 
of hack drivers, when pickets of unions arc placed 
about the tombs, when mourners have to carry 
pistols to- defend their lives, when the life of a man 
is not safe unless he carries a union card, when a 
man who can earn five dollars a day is forced down 
to a level with the $2.50 man, and vice versa : when 



individual skill is discounted and a dead monotony 
of ability, or disability is sought, when law is de- 
fied, and the militia, the arm of law, is flouted ; when i 
organization of labor has fallen to a mere conspiracy 
for graft, we are in danger of being reduced to the ' 
condition of Australia, where socialism and union- 
ism have iinpoverished the land, driven out the best ' 
people and caused the loss of its commercial su- 
premacy." And this leads me to speak of the atti- | 
tude of the press — a very considerable portion of I 
which fans the flames of discord, and lends en- 
couragement to lawlessness. The press is aptly de- 
scribed as the palladium of our liberty, and its 
freedom cannot be circumscribed. That is the pop- 
ular idea and the proper idea within constitutional 
limits. But licentiousness and license are not 
synonymous terms, and much of the journalism 
which is fitly described as yellow, has no proper 
place in this republic. Its efforts to create class 
distinctions, to array the poor or those of moderate 
means against the rich, and to pander to the lowest 
passions of the vicious in inciting to hatred and re- 
venge, are borne with too much patience by our 
law makers and by the public generally. Occasion- 
ally the people are aroused to a high pitch of in- 
dignation as, for instance, when our latnented Presi- ^ 
dent McKinley. honored and beloved by all, was as- 'S| 
sassinated. The wave of indignation which swept ™ 
over this country extended even to the remotest 
nations, soon to subside without bringing about a 
practical result. Congress foamed, fomented, frit- 
tered and fizzled. Editors who went into hiding 
emerged frotn their lairs in due season and resumed 
their insidious work. And the order loving peo- 
ple in almost hopeless amazement, cry out on the 
streets, "How long ! oh Lord, how long !" 

But someone will ask, what remedy do you sug- 
gest? I answer in a sentence, a better application 
of the great commandment. "Thou shalt love thy 
neighbor as thyself." If this be chimerical, then 
let the work continue and more generously in the 
direction of betterments for labor, better under- 
standing between man and man, employer and em- 
ployees, and mutual concessions which may be 
concluded through the medium of arbitration. One 
thing is certain, unionism which backs up its ag- 
gressions with dynamite cannot long exist under 
Republican skies, nor can it long survive a coali- 
tion with socialism and anarchy. 

The need of the hour is men. unselfish, broad- 
minded, fearless and incorruptible men in every 
walk of life. In the stirring lines of Dr. Holland: 

"God give us men ! a time like this demands 
Great hearts, strong minds, true faith, and willing 

hands: 
!Men whom the lust of power does not kill, 
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy ; 
!Men who possess opinion and a will ; 
Men who have honor: men who will not lie. 
For while the rabble, with their thumbworn 

creeds. 
Their large professions and their little deeds. 
Wrangle in selfish strife, lo ! Freedom weeps. 
Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps." 



CEXTEXXIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



215 



After a selection by Doring's Band, Judge 
L'Amoreaux introduced as the poet of the 
celebration, Rev. Howard B. Grose, D.D., of 
New York. Mr. Grose read his Centennial 
Ode in a very felicitous style, and held the 
close attention of the great assemblage. 




REV. n. r,. GRKSE. D.P. 
THE CENTENNIAL ODE. 

BY HOW.\RD B. GROSE. 
" I 

Fair Ballston, hail! On this centennial clay. 
Let heartfelt gladness every bosom sway. 
With eager feet thy loyal sons and daughters 
Haste home again, to drink thy mineral waters. 
Revisit scenes familiar, greet old friends. 
For long forgetfnlness make due amends. 
Renew old ties, and prove it true 
That presence and not distance 'tis that lends 
Enchantment to the village and the view. 

11 

'Tis well we gather to re-tell 

The stories of the bygone days, 

While nimble fancy 'round us plays. 

.\nd years like morning mists dispel. 

Bear with me, then, as with my verse 

I bring the poet's laurel bays 

And crown the village with our praise. 

l\V 



ill 

lial odes. have, I suppose, their uses, 
I'm not quite certain what they ar 
also, surely, their abuses. 



Centennial oaes.navt;, j =ut>Ht 

Altho I'm not quite certain 

They may have -'"" >:"rp1v i 



are: 



If solemn odist carry them too far. 
Since most such odes are mournful, I shall scout 
'em, 

We've all come home to have a jolly time; ^ 
Poetical rhapsodies— I don't know much about 'em— 

I have to offer but a homey rhyme. 
The poets, of course, begin with bells wild ringing, 

Fond fancies trooping thro' the golden days. 
Sweet music swelling, cycles swiftly swinging, _ 

While nature softly croons her hymns of praise, 
.•\nd so they soothe you with their sibilant singing, 

.\nd leave you, as to meaning, in a haze. 

'Tis easy task to preach to bearded men— 

But oh. if we could be but boys again. 

With youthful ardor, aims, ambitions, zest— 

Of all things possible, that's surely best. 

We never lose our hold on life's real joys 

While we can love, and live, and play like boys. 

Then do not think undignified these fragmentary 

rhymes 
Which seek to bring us back once more to scenes of 

earlier times. 

IV 
In the days before the White Man 
Made this continent his dwelling. 
Here where Ballston now is situate 
Long the Red Man had dominion. 
Favorite hunting grounds of Mohawks, 
Here the warriors of the nation 
Sought their summer recreation. 
Paddling down the Mohawk river. 
Thro the Eel Creek to the Long Lake, 
(Ballston Lake we know it better). 
On whose shores they made encampment. 

East Line Corners was the centre 
Of their hunting, trapping, fishing. 
Favorite hunting ground was Ballston— 
Wooded hill and watered valley. 
With its clearing by the waters. 
Here they fished and trapped and feasted, 
Unmolested, save when Hurons 
From the north, or Adirondacks, 
Swept down on them. Then fierce conflict. 
Here the Mohawks laid their ambush 
By the Mourning Kill, and waited. 
When the Algonquins on the warpath 
Reached the fatal spot, the Mohawks 
Slew them all without compassion. 
Long the Indians mourned their brothers. 
Each year coming back to mourn them. 
"Mourning Kill" the name arising 
From this ancient Indian custom. 
Still persisting when the white men 
Held the lands where once the Mohawks 
Wandered free in sole possession. 
Sad the story how the settlers 
Without justice seized the title, 
Force and fraud and usurpation 
Weapons of their choice and using 
To despoil their dusky victims. 
Wherefore wonder at the hatred. 
Massacres and frequent horrors : 
To the God of even justice 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



217 



^^'hite and Red Man both have answered. 
Long ago the warriors vanished. 
Like their hunting grounds and forests, 
Seized for home of hardy settlers, 
Cleared for tillage and for village ; 
Savage giving place to farmer. 
Hunter to the smith and tradesman. 
Pagan to believing Christian, 
Bloody fued to law and order. 

V 
Two hundred years ! A wilderness 

With here and there a clearing ; 
The white man stern in storm and stress, 

The Red Man fierce j'et fearing. 

By sixteen hundred eighty-four 

The British crown gave title 
To Indian lands, whence bloody war 

W ilh all their grim recital. 

Dutch Peter Schuyler and his friends 

Took Saratoga county, 
Through Patents which advanced their ends 

And drew the royal bounty. 

In seventeen hundred eight, the date 

Of white claim to this section. 
The grafters grabbed their real estate 

Under Queen Anne's protection. 

To Nanning Hermance fell the grant 

Kay-a-derosseras, 
Name of the "crooked stream" along 

Whose banks we loved to pass. 

The cheated Mohawks ne'er forgave 
The whites who stole their lands, 

And many a settler found a grave 
At their avenging hands. 

Sir William Johnson, governor, 

True nobleman and great, 
Did nmch to end the Indian war, 

Their hatred to abate. 

We picture him, the noble knight, 

The Red Man's friend so true, 
Seeking to bring about the right 

And give each race its due. 

Tortured with gout, through forest maze 

He seeks the healing spring, 
By trails the friendly Indians blaze 

His journey hastening. 

VI 

The legend of Tom Connor shows how one un- 
daunted son 

Of Ballston town once faced the great and good 
George Washington. 

In seventeen hundred eighty-three, in search of brief 
release 

From cares of camp headquarters and the men who 
never cease 

To press their claims for place and pelf, the conti- 
nental chief 

Mapped out a tour of battle fields, as measure of 
relief. 



Included in his party, on this northern outing tour, 
Were New York's Governor Clinton, statesman 

strong and true and pure. 
And Alexander Hamilton, most brilliant of men 
Who founded firm the Union — New York's foremost 

citizen; 
With Colonels Fish and Humphrey as the military 

guides, 
Along the Hudson's wooded banks the little party 

rides. 
From Ncwburg north they wend tlieir way to that 

famed battle field 
Where British Burgoync, caught and caged, his army 

had to yield. 
Then on to beautiful Lake George, Crown Point, Ti- 

conderoga. 
Where Y'ankee grit began the triumphs crowned at 

Saratoga. 
Let fancy frame for you the thoughts that thrilled 

those noble souls 
.As they beheld the ground where men, whose names 

fill patriot rolls, 
Laid down their lives for liberty, and by their con- 
secration 
IVIade possible what we enjoy — this free and mighty 

nation. 
Thence turning homeward, they bethought their pil- 
grimage to make 
To Saratoga's High Rock Spring — there nature's 

thirst to slake. 
As appetite but grows, in truth, by that on which 

'tis fed. 
So grew their thirst for living springs, and toward 

our spring they sped. 
The plan included lunch, with Genera! Gordon as the 

host. 
But forest mazes interfered, and so(in the group was 

lost. 
The Middle Line eluded them, and when they struck 

a trail 
It led to Factory Village, and the hero of our tale. 

Tom Conner — hardy settler — was a typical pioneer. 

Who asked no favor and who knew of man or beast 
, no fear. 

His sounding axe gave guidance to his rude log 
cabin door; 

And as all men were men to Tom, he saw in them 
no more 

Than common mortals who were host in wild, un- 
settled section ; 

So. answering their queries, he gave requisite direc- 
tion ; 

Then went on with his chopping, while the party rode 
away. 

The busy woodsman ignorant of greatness seen that 
day. 

But presentlv they came again, to seek for further 
light. ■ 

Since crossing trails bewildered them, and hunger 
was in sight. 

This time 'twas Washington himself, who asked, 
with courtly grace, 

Particular directions as to route they must retrace. 

"I tell ye— turn back, take first right, then stick to 
it ; and, say. 



218 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Ye must be mighty stupid — any darned fool 'd know 
the way!" 

And thus it was, his temper lost, that hasty-tongued 
Tom Conner 

Addressed the great commander whom the world 
unites to honor. 

When, later, Tom discovered who his visitors had 
been, 

He hung his liead in bitter consternation and cha- 
grin; 

And long was he tormented by his jeering neigh- 
bors on 

His cavalier "reception" of lost General Washington. 

The latter took the right-hand path, the spring was 
soon in sight. 

And all drank of the waters with an undisguised 
delight. 

Later, at General Gordon's long and heartily they 
laughed, 

As at the dinner, toasting him, Tom Conner's health 
they quafTed. 

vn 

Balls-town, Ball-town, Ballston Spa — 

These by turns the village name, 
From Eliphalet Ball, the pioneer, 

Who in 1770 hither came. 
Minister he of the manly mold 

That knows no failure and no fear, 
Subduing nature, reliant, bold. 

He finds in the wilderness his sphere. 
With him he brought of his former fold 

A goodly group, to surround him here. 
Three sons had he, and a daughter, too. 
Who married a Gordon, Scotchman true. 
Gordon Creek to his name is due. 
Four hundred acres the landlords gave 
To induce the parson their souls to save. 
Scotch Presbyterian he, and blue, 
Scotch and North Irish folk he drew. 
Sturdy stock — and the settlement grew. 
They built the Red Meeting House, and there 
All gathered for wor.ship, praise and prayer. 
In 1775 their creed 
The right of conscience free declared. 
On this great principle agreed. 
A common brotherhood they shared. 
'Twas Ballston Center where their acres lay, 
The springs made village centre far away. 

VIII 

Due prai.se to him who saved the spring — 

To him be votive offering. 

Beriah Palmer, as he came surveying. 

In 1771 reached High Street hill. 

Thirsty and weary ; quick his gaze went straying 

Over the hemlock forest, dense and still ; 

In vale below he spied the Indian clearing 

Thro which there ran, like line of light. 

The Gordon creek, whose waters sparkling bright 

Promised the sought refreshment. Thither nearing, 

.Strolling along the banks, by happy chance 

He found the ancient spring the Indians knew, 

.^nd held as sacred as their sun-god dance; 

The iron spring which Johnson visited. 



When bj' his gouty humors sore bestead. 

To Palmer's wit we owe the spring's existence. 

He stopped fresh water o'erflovv from the creek. 

Dug clay from nearby bank, and by persistence 

Built log hut, chinked it tight, and thus his quick 

And skilful action saved to future ages 

The living waters which our thirst assuages. 

IX 

Soon visitors came, some through the forest 
tramping. 

By rumor drawn to seek the famous Well ; 
Others to hunt and fish, and here encamping, 

A few deciding in the place to dwell. 
In 1787, with eye to profit, 

Benajah Douglas bought a tract near by. 
And when the water drew the crowds to quaff it 

They found a welcome at his hostelry. 
The Brookside of to-day was his grand mansion, 

The Public Well now caught the public eye, 
The hamlet entered on its real expansion. 

And Ballston Spa soon found its glory nigh. 
New springs were opened, new hotels were builded. 

Fashion began to come, and money flew. 
The hopes of residents with golden hue were gilded, 

And each new season larger concourse drew. 
Not only from all parts of this, from foreign lands 

they came. 
For worldwide then had grown to be fair Ballston's 
summer fame. 

X 

In 1S07, the charter year. 

The village reached the height of its career 

As fashion's favorite resort. The tide 

Soon set toward Saratoga, which is now 

What Ballston was a century ago. 

W^ell for the village life this change of base. 

Which sw'cpt the throngs away, and left the place 

To follow out its simple ways, and be 

A home from fashion freaks and follies free. 

XI 

Old Sans Souci ! Fair Sans Souci ! 
Borrowed from Frederick's Germany, 
What visions bright of revelry. 
Of royal sport at royal court. 
Are called from misty past by thee. 
Not less the wit and brilliancy. 
The scenes enchanted, 
In fashion's new-world Sans Souci 
From the old world transplanted. 

White Sans Souci ! Bright Sans Souci I 
Brilliant w'ith dames of high degree; 
While men of fame and rank and name 
To thy resort in joyance came. 
At Sans Souci, from care set free. 
The statesmen, scholars, men of letters. 
Merchants and priests threw off their fetters 
And frolicked with the belles and beaux, 
Or found in nature sweet repose. 

Proud Sans Souci. within thy halls 
What greatness gathered! Men of state. 
Moulders of thought, the list recalls: 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



219 



Clay and Calhoun, Van Buren, Pierce, 
Marcy and Seward, men of weight; 
Louis Napoleon, prince obscure, 
Later to wage a conflict fierce ; 
Noted names, too in literature : 
Cooper, whose Indians owned the ground 
Their roaming spirits lingered 'round; 
And Irving, with his master touch. 
Chronicling English ways or Dutch — 
Witty and gay the company 
That met and mingled at Sans Souci 
At dawn of the nineteenth century. 

Poor Sans Souci ! A memory ! 

Naught more than that is left of thee. 

Yet that still sweetly clings to me. 

When longtime fashion's sway had passed 

And Ladies' Seminary came. 

The younger generation cast 

Flirtatious eyes at beauty's flame. 

But bad financing and misrule 

Left Sans Souci without a school. 

For time again it was hotel 

Until the hand destroying fell. 

That was the young folks' longed-for chance 

To rent the parlors for their dance. 

What hops those were ! The hours were golden 

Have you forgotten William Holding? 

His orchestra played music rare. 

'Yes, true — I had the partner there 

Who still my lot in life doth share. 

Hail, Sans Souci ! I, too, am free 

From lonely lot and carking care — 

And many a joy I owe to thee. 

XII 

A hundred years ! How short the span 

In view of myriad marvels wrought by man. 

In eighteen hundred seven no whistle shrill 

Had waked the echoes of the wood or hill ; 

The swiftest travel then by crawling stage. 

Six miles an hour th' express of that slow age. 

No car, no telegraph, no- boat — 

No gas, no water-works, no sewers — 

No telephone or trolley — how remote 

That past from our luxurious present! Yet, 

All of the solid worth that now endures 

Came from the hardy manhood that inures 

In pioneer toil and hardship, bravely borne 

With face to future. Let lis not forget — 

Inheritors we of that they fought to gain — 

That stern privation is strong manhood's school. 

Which teaches how to labor and to vote. 

That no self-sacrifice for others' good is vain; 

While wealth and luxury, w'hich honest virtues scorn, 

Produce the rich sons' crop — the country's bane — 

Replacing men with the effeminate fool. 

'Tis well to realize that electric light 

Dispels no darkness of the moral night : 

That all the luxuries which wealth can buy 

But serve to feed the vices that make weak ; 

That still on simple life we must rely 

For that strong, sterling character we seek 

To keep our own indeed the Empire State 

In all that makes a people truly great. 

'Tis ours to see that changes in condition 



Sw-erve not the commonwealth from its high mis- 
sion; 
That no low standards ever shall obtain 
Which sacrifice the public good for private gain. 
A land's true wealth is never told in dollars, 
But in its poets, seers, statesmen, scholars. 
The quality of its rank and file — the common folk 
Who really make prosperity and worth 
That give a nation prestige in the earth. 
Be sure 'tis not in modern innovation 
We find the highest type of civilization. 
To rank a nation do not markets scan. 
But find its best ideal of a man. 

XIII 
Turn back thy glass, O Time, and let us gaze 
On village life in earlier, simpler days, 
When people lived in homelike, humble ways, 
Free from the madding strife and mammon-craze. 

Fair Ballston, village of the hill and dale, 

What tongue can tell thy rich, romantic tale? 

The apt historian may well rehearse 

Thy noble part in statecraft, peace, and strife ; 

The poet, too, may breathe in rhythmic verse 

The charm and beauty of thy family life. 

The village type — strong bulwark of the free — 

Here find we well exemplified by thee. 

XIV 
Happy the village in the ministry 
Of such good preacher as Elias Lee, 
Who filled the pulpit with the fire that drew 
A captivated audience in the pew. 
Broad-minded citizen, he filled large place 
With sterling piety and courtly grace. 

And Deodatus Babcock, churchman zealous. 
Filled well his ofiice, as the records tell us; 
And "in his duty prompt at every call, 
He watched, and wept, he prayed and felt for all. 
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay. 
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." 

Another eminent man, in earlier time, 
The village had in Irenaeus Prime, 
Who later as an editor was famed 
Where'er the "Irenaeus Letters" were named. 
"Truth, from his lips, prevailed with double sway, 
And those who came to scoff, remained to pray." 

A Ballslon rector of the years agone 
We honor now as Bishop Worthington. 
Happy the village, let us say again. 
That in its pulpits has true, godly men, 
Who still proclaim in accents loud and clear 
The gospel message of love, hope, faith and cheer. 

XV 
The village editor — in influence the peer 
Of village minister — him, too, we honor here. 
The strength of sound opinion rarely rises 
Above the level of the weekly press. 
Which, calmer than the daily, supervises 
The world's affairs, and lays due weight and, stress 
Upon those local duties and concerns 
On which, like hinges, larger issue turns. 



220 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Recorder of the village life, director of opinion. 
The country editor has still a rare and wide 
dominion. 

Pray with me bear, as here I pay son's tribute of 

affection, 
To father who for forty years gave Jourxal true 

direction. 
Good man and editor was he, a patriot devoted. 
He loved the truth that makes men free, the right 

he e'er promoted. 

XVI 

There was one public man Ballston gave to the 

nation. 
Who filled an exceptional, national station. 
This was John W. Taylor, for twenty years leader 
In Congress, the peer of Calhoun and of Clay, 
Ranked with Wetjster indeed as debater and pleader, 
In the very front rank of the men of his day. 
He was chosen as Speaker, succeeding that peerless 
Parliamentary leader. Clay, who himself said, 
That no man in the House was more brilliant and 

fearless, 
More fitted than Taylor to be at the head. 
As the only New Yorker e'er accorded that honor. 
We our tribute now pay, as we honor our dead. 

XVII 

Old Ballston has reason for pride in her sons 

Who have gone from her borders to city and town, 
They have earned their own way and have made 
their home runs, 
To the places of usefulness, power and renown. 
At the bar, on the bench, they have gained recog- 
nition. 
As doctors and surgeons they arc high in their 
schools. 
As preachers and teachers they fill large position, 

In business or pleasure, they play by the rules. 
We find them as winners at all the big dinners — 
There is only one class they're not in — that's the 
fools. 

XVIII 

Just fifty years since first my youthful eyes 
Saw Ballston's streets and scenes with awed sur- 
prise. 
The boyhood home ! The man who can forget it. 

Has something lacking in the better part, 
He who can leave the home and not regret it 

How'er strong brained is sadly weak in heart. 
As pass the years old places grow the dearer. 

Old friends seem rarer and we prize them more ; 
Things that were dim to youth now shine out clearer, 

Perspective now is truer than of yore. 
The village life that once seemed dull and vapid 

Now shows its real delights; its leisure pace 
Is peace indeed to him who knows the rapid 

And strenuous nature of the city's race. 

The simple village life we knew from wild excesses 

free. 
Was wholesome soil in which there grew faith, 

hope, and charity. 



XIX 

My earliest share in party predilection 
Dates back to '60 — Lincoln's first campaign ; 
Rail Splitters all we boys without defection, 
The Little Giants summoned us in vain. 
In uniform blue and white, beetle on shoulder^ 
Marching in torchlight line, proud little fellow — 
How I despised the Douglas crowd ! Grown older, 
In journalism or party I can't bear yellow — 
'Tis thus the boy's likes pass into the man's. 
And bind him to his principles and clans. 
But principles first, and plans and party second^ 
'Tis only thus to highest goal we're beckoned. 
A Mugwump's one thing — true, and quite another 
The man whose spear in right cause knows no 

brother. 
To save true parties from a course descendent 
We always need the fearless independent, 
Who makes direct to people his appeal. 
Nor doubts the verdict of their unbought will — 
Which voice and votes without mistake reveal. 

XX, 

At age of ten — vi-ool-dyed Republican — red at that — 

If you'd insult me — call me Democrat ! 

But time our youthful rancors doth abate. 

And one can see — to remedy abuses 

And keep the Republicans steady, strong and 

straight, 
How virtuous Democrats have their proper uses. 
Two parties, to say the least, are necessary — 
That each may keep the other at work and wary. 
But well we now discern 'twixt partisan 
And that much higher type, the party man. 
And more than that, we've learned that friendship 

hearty 
Is matter of man to man — not bound by party. 
As true Ballstonians we unite to champion one 

great cause — 
A free and honest government, and equal rights 

and laws. 
When test shall come, and city votes by fraud are 

cast for wrong. 
In the virtue of the village we shall still be safe 

and strong: 
'Tis to village and to country we must look for 

power to check 
The insidious plots that seek our highest interests 

to wreck. 

So, Governor Hughes — this personal allusion you'll 

excuse — 
When appealing to the people, in advance you'll 

know our views : 
Old Ballston's with 30U first and last, she'll stand 

behind you firm and fast, 
In future as in glorious past — hail. Governor 

Hughes ! 

XXI 

Were you a boy in '60 or thereabouts. 

When war was in the air, and old Camp Cooper 

Was field of glory to us — with its scouts. 

Its quota of militia, gay clad trooper. 

Its field maneuvres. mimic raids and routs? 



I 



CENTEXXIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



221 



Then you recall our leal and proud commander. 

Our Colonel Peek, resplendent to our view. 

Who in our boyish eyes was bigger man and grander 

Than Grant or Lee — indeed, he looked it, too. 

Who can forget that '6i November, 

When Bemis Heights Battalion led the way ; 

Our Ballston Company B — do you remember 

How fine Steve Horton, captain, looked that day? 

While Colonel McKean was dazzling in the splendor 

Of regimental glory and array. 

Proudly he rode at head of marching column, 

As to the front the Seventy-seventh pressed : 

We wondered why the old folks were so solemn — 

We saw alone the glitter — they the rest ! 

Sojne of us saw that side a little later. 

And felt the tragedy of war's alarm— 

What wonder that e'en boyhood grew sedater 

At sight of big John Harlow with one arm 

And empty sleeve that told its speechless story. 

Which grew in horror when our brave boys fell. 

When Captain McKittrick gave his life for glory. 

And some came back all shattered by shot and shell 

How with hot rage our youthful hearts would thrill. 

When pale and wan our heroes came, 

Half dead from Andersonville, 

And revealed the secrets of that awful place. 

To end of time the South's shame and disgrace. 

xxn 

How we boys enjoyed our frolics, building wig- 
wams in the woods, 

Sometimes catching cold and colics, reckless of our 
ways and moods. 

Now we played the noble Uncas, shrieking up Mo- 
hican hill, 

Till we often fancied redskins might leap out upon 
us still. 

Summer sports we had in plenty — coram, duckstone, 
two-old-cat. 

Quoits and marbles, swimming, fishing — do the boys 
now know all that? 

They tell me ruthless axe is laid 

At root of trees on old Clapp's Hill — 

Ah, can no vandal stroke be stayed? 
Those apple trees — that used to fill 

The boyish pockets, and that played 
Us sometimes an internal ill. 

'Twas in that orchard of the boy's delight. 
On one dark, stormy, ne'er forgotten night, 
Our trio, Johnson, Jones and I — got mortal fright. 
The old town clock had sounded solemn ten— 
I noted well the strokes — and we just then 
Climbed o'er the fence, and, pockets loaded down. 
Guilty of conscience, started for the town. 
But see! a white horse coming — then a shout: 
"Stop, boys !" Whereat we stopped not. but lit out. 
Then two sharp shots rang out upon the air 
And we could feel them cutting through our hair — 
Each boy felt sure some vital spot was hit. 
We struck a ditch, and tumbled into it. 
Long there we lay, dead spent, in dread suspense, 
Then homeward stole, in muddy penitence. 
Those random shots, fired in the air. 
Gave my poor heart such shock and scare 



That, if I live to ninety-eight, 

I still shall feel the rapid rate. 

As to our after honesty I may not you convince, 

But this is simple fact, I havn't stolen an apple 

since ! 
Ed Johnson's gone, Frank Jones is dead, and I alone 

remain 
To tell why we ran up Clapp's Hill, and why ran 

down again. 

xxni 

How many boyish pranks we played, and yet 'twas 

all good-natured fun; 
If now and then we made a raid, in mischief merely 

it was done; 
We roamed the village at our will, played ball in 

street without reproval, 
In winter slid down Bath street hill, our only grief 

some boy's removal. 
The sports were simpler then than now, our Inde- 
pendence Nine was gritty, 
For one who wore a glove and mask, we should 

have felt contempt or pity. 
He best whose hands and grit were toughest, 
He first who stood the game the roughest. 
Dear Ballston boys of other days, boys of my time 

and generation, 
I see you thro time's mellow haze, and gladly hail 

your elevation. 
You've played your parts as manly men. some of 

you won high recognition — 
You form the class of citizen who give our country 

might and mission. 
Dear Ballston girls — but ah, beware, e'en age of 

such words must be chary. 
You'll let me say how passing fair j'ou were, and 

sometimes also wary; 
You knew us better than we thought, and led us 

many a lively chase. 
But we were willing to be caught, and yield to spell 

of beauty's grace. 
One thing I'll say, as general truth, (nay, do not 

fear, 'tis not alarming) 
The jMadams know it well, forsooth — that all the 

Ballston girls were charming. 
True fifty, forty years ago — and just as true ten, 

twenty, thirty — 
The same to-day, I'm sure, of you — charming, and 

casually flirty. 
Had I my will, this I would do, 
All my young friends of worthful lives 
I'd send to Ballston for their wives. 

XXIV 
Those serenades on summer nights, with male and 

mixed quartette, — 
The sounds of "Music in the Air" seem faintly 

wafted yet. 
"Sweet Evelina" always formed a member of our 

chorus, 
And the stars and stripes, "Say, can you see," were 

ever waving o'er us. 
We drank "The Old Oaken Bucket" dry, "Way 

down on Suwanee River," 
While "Tenting To-night," "Annie Laurie" bright, 

and the "brook runs on forever." 



222 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



I 



I've seen the Paris Opera House, the Royal in 

Berlin, 
The Metropolitan in Xew York — bnt none of them 

begin 
To stir my pulses like tlie thought of Townsend's 

tragic pall 
When his Canadian strollers plaved in our old 

Waverly Hall. 
Comical Brown, with his twenty odd faces, 
His side-splitting stories and fetching grimaces ; 
Where tell me, where in your new-fangled places 
You'll find more amusement that's wholesome and 

clean — 
Than in Waverly Hall in old times could be seen. 

XXV 

Great times we had election days. 

And greater yet election nights. 
Considerable ruction then we'd raise. 

And keep the constables in frights. 
The village fathers sought in vain 
The boisterous spirits to restrain ; 
The bonfires burned through all restrictions, 
Despite the law's stern interdictions. 
Boxes and barrels high we heaped 'em. 

On with the blaze, whichever party won; 
Then as the flames died down the crowds o'er- 
leaped 'em, 

While fast and furious waxed the midnight fun. 
All this a part of true patriot passion 
Showing itself in American fashion. 

XXVI 
Fourth of July ! Noise began long ahead of it. 

Sometimes a week, and the nervous and ill. 
Rightly enough had a fear and a dread of it. 

Finding no spot that was restful or still. 
Then, on the night before, just at the dead of it, 

Burst forth the clamor, fierce, shocking and shrill. 
Boom ! went the cannon — Old Betsey the gun of all 

Sounding the loudest and leading the noise — - 
Keeping the people awake was the fun of all — 

Old-fashioned Fourth — the delight of the boys! 

XXV H 

Do you recall that dark and awful morning 
When through the village ran tlie startling word 

That our great Lincoln, without moment's warning, 
Had been shot down? The people deeply stirred, 

Gathered in groups, with faces drawn and white. 

Mad with the rage for vengeance, eager to fight. 

Ill fared it that morning with one copperhead — 
Standing on steps of our office, he said : 
"Served him right — down with tyrants! I'm glad he 
is dead!" 
But the words were scarce out, when a blow 

knocked him dow-n, 
And an outcast, well beaten, he fled from the town. 
Thereafter Ballstonians had for him no regard. 
And named him in scorn and derision "Old Beau- 
regard." 

Those days full of terror and dark with suspense. 
Were unpleasant enough for the man on the fence. 
For the feeling was high and the ardor intense. 



When the remnants of Company B came at last. 

What a halo of glory enveloped their past. 

Yet more honored to-day those who bear battle 

scar, 
Warm the spot in our hearts for the old G. A. R. 

XXVIII 
Come, Muse, inspire me now to sing 
Fit praise of thee, old Iron Spring. 
Standing beside thy silent flow. 
Swift memories of the long ago 
Bring back again the sweet romances, 
1 he liquid draughts and laughing glances. 
But thirst assuaged, ah, who shall tell 
The secrets of the leafy dell. 
The evening stroll to old Red Mill, 
Or moonlight meet on Uncas' hill. 
What virtues in the spring resided 
Perhaps will e'er be undecided. 
But many a youth who did as I did. 
Will ne'er forget the walks that tended 
To thy cool fount ; the strolls that ended 
In happy hearts in union blended. 
To thee the fondest memories cling. 
Fountain of youth, old Iron Spring! 

XXIX 

Village of schools ! Many still can remember 

Glad days of their boyhood at Gilmour's on hill — 
'Twas ^iay with them then whereas now 'tis De- 
cember, 

Yet the fond recollections bring cjuickening thrill. 
Long forgotten the lessons, the marks and the classes, 

But never the skating on glarey Red Mill ; 
The Academy boys and the shy village lasses 

Swift gliding along — I can picture them still. 
The Academy's gone, and the High School replaces 

The old education with many things new. 
The curriculum now is as strange as the faces — 

Do they learn more, I wonder, than we used to do? 
More important by far, do they foster the graces 

That blossom in character tender and true? 

XXX 
What village street in all the land surpasses 
Our High Street, with its overarching boughs, 
Beneath which Ballston's happy lads and lasses 
Slow walking whispered soft their lover's vows. 
Those lordly elms which stand so still and stately, 
Could they but speak, might moonlight secrets tell 
Which some, who gather here to-day sedately, 
Would recognize as true but all to well. 
What happy homes in tender memory rise. 
As we recall the days forever gone; 
Here loving hearts made earthly paradise, 
Their passing leaves the hearthstone drear and lone. 
Yet this no hour for sadness or for mourning. 
These blest home-makers were the village pride. 
Their homely virtues were her rich adorning. 
Their loving spirit still doth here abidgi 

XXXI 

Have you seen the sunset glory. 

From the fence on Church Street hill ? 

Two it takes to tell that story, 
One would see the glow but ill. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



223 



Have you rowed at summer twiliglit 
On llie stream above Blue IMill? 

Two it takes to enjoy that shy light, 
One would find the place too still. 

Have you loitered in the gloaming 
By the shallow Mourning Kill? 

Two it takes to make real roaming, 
One would find the pleasure jiiV. 

Questions these not born of fancy. 
Rather drawn from memory's store 

By a lover of romance he 

Fain would figure in once more. 

XXXII 
111 fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, 
When wealth .accumulates and men decay. 
So wrote the poet of an earlier day 
Of his loved England. True it is the sway 
Of gold means menace always to the free, 
For manhood only measures liberty. 
So. too, ill fares the land, to spoils a prey, 
When cities grow and villages decay. 
In village, as on farm, we trace the springs 
Of sturdy virtue which to city brings 
Fresh blood and impulse, and that force supplies 
On which for character the town relies. 
The farmer boys and village lads have made 
The men who built the city marts of trade; 
The preachers, lawyers, doctors of renown 
Have seldom had their birth within the town. 
When for the greatness of our statesman Hughes 
We seek in birth place and in blood the clues, 
We find the village as his place of birth. 
And wonder not his fame flies thro the earth. 
Next to fair Ballston, where affection calls, 
There is no lovelier village than Glens Falls — ■ 
We hail that village now, with glad intent, 
As birthplace of our coming President. 

XXXIII 

One thing to-day, amid the storm and stress, 
We see emerging — civic righteousness ; 
A quickened conscience and a fresh appeal 
To sense of justice for a new, square deal. 
Political graft has had its prosperovis day. 
When scheming plunderers made the people pay, 
While franchise rights for bribes were given away, 
Reform is in the air, and politicians ^ 

Have taken heed of signs and portents dire — 
The people have selected their physicians 
And bade them give what doie the ills require. 
The question's not — does medicine suit the taste, 
But "Step up and take it, gentlemen, in haste." 
One other thing we hope to see, a quickened village 

pride, 
A checking of this tendency, this city-setting tide. 
Alas for us, where shall we look for salvation 
If the city shall dominate country and nation? 
In the new social spirit the village must lead. 
As in all the reforms which are born of our need. 

Then let us, on this joyous day. 

With Whittier, patriot poet, say: 
"Oh, make Thou us, through centuries long, 

In peace secure, in justice strong; 



Around our gift of freedom draw 
The safeguards of Thy righteous law ; 
And, cast in some diviner mold, 
Let the new cvcle shame the old !" 

COLONEL stone's ADDRESS. 

Col. William L. Stone, of Mt. ^'e^non, New 
York, gave the closing address, his subject 
being "The Declaration of Independence in 
a new light." The address follows : 

"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : Before 
beginning my address I wish to tell you all how 
badly I feel that my honored old teachers. Rev. H. 
W. Bulkelcy and Dr. Babcock (both of whom I 
loved dearly) are not present on this august occa- 
sion to hear thier old pupil. Also, my dearly loved 
friends, the late Judge George G. Scott and E. R. 
Mann, both of whom by their writings have left an 
indelible impress on Ballston history. Still, I firmly 
believe, altho' not a spiritualist in the common 
acceptation of that term, that they are all here in 
spirit, if not in personal presence, to listen to the 
remarks of all the distinguished speakers at this 
time. 

"On the l.Sth of May, 1776, the second conti- 
nental congress voted to recommend all the col- 
onies to adopt new forms of government. On the 
7th of June, Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, obey- 
ing the instructions of that colony, moved 'That 
these united colonies are and of right ought to be, 
free and independent states :" that they are absolved 
from all allegiance to the British crown, and that 
all political connection between them and the state 
of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dis- 
solved.' Three days later, on the loth. the day when 
the first debate on Lee's resolution was closed, si.x 
of the colonies being unprepared to vote, a post- 
ponement was had until the ist of July, in the ex- 
pectation that by that time there would be entire 
unanimity. On the evening of the 1st John Adams 
wrote to Samuel Chase that the debate took up most 
of the day. Jefferson, in 1787, stated that the debate 
lasted "nine hours, until evening without refresh- 
ment and without pause.' At the close of the de- 
bate, however, no definite action was taken, and 
the final voting was postponed until the following 
day. Accordingly, on the 2d of July, the first formal 
and final vote was taken on Independence — all of 
the thirteen colonies voting for it except that of 
New York. As New York has been severely cen- 
sured for this, and as she fain would stand well 
with her little sister 'Rhody,' permit me, in behalf 
of that state, to correct this impression. 

"It has been stated by a high authority that the 
New York delegates, during the entire debate on 
Lee's resolution, 'remained passive, neither oppos- 
ing nor helping, as they deemed the whole subject 
of separation as outside of their instructions.' 
There could not be a greater error. To suppose 
that George Clinton, w-ho had been elected a dele- 
gate to the continental congress from New York 
chiefly on account of his pronounced views against 
the crown, or that Robert R. Livingston, one of the 



224 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



five, who reported the declaration, remained 'pas- 
sive' instead of using all their influence in mould- 
ing the sentiments of the congress in the right direc- 
tion — is to accuse both of those gentlemen of grave 
inconsistency. 

"On May 5th, 1776, as we have seen, a resolution 
was passed by the continental congress and ordered 
to be pushed. If either Clinton or Livingston was 
present and voted for it at that time, it could fairly 
be said that they not only favored, but voted for 
independence. One of the phrases of the preamble 
to the resolution is, 'It is necessary that the exer- 
cise of every kind of authority under said crown 
should be totally suppressed, and all the powers of 
government executed under the authority of the 
people of the colonies.' John Adams, at the time, 
called this act or resolution 'indepenWence itself.' 
The colonies were recommended by it to establish 
popular governments where they had not already 
done so. Indeed the independence of the colonies 
took place in fact, if not in name, before the gen- 
eral independence of the whole was declared. Ban- 
croft says that all the New York delegates, except 
Alsop, were personally ready to vote for independ- 
ence, and were confident of their constituents. John 
Adams says that even Duane favored it, and he 
had been a half tory all along; how much more 
then must Clinton and Livingston have been for it. 
The documentary declaration was debated in com- 
mittee of the whole before being reported to the 
house; and there is not much doubt that in such 
committee the New York delegates voted for it. 
Wisncr, one of the New York delegates, we know 
from the investigation of Wauklin Burdge voted 
for it. 

"But it has been furtlier, stated, to the discredit 
of New York, that on the second of July, when the 
vote on independence was actually taken. New York 
(the vote was by colonies, not by individuals) did 
not vote, the delegates from that colony over their 
own signatures, with Clinton at their head, offi- 
cially reporting as follows : 'The important ques- 
tion of independence was agitated yesterday in 
committee of the whole congress and this day 
will be finally determined in the house. We 
know the line of our conduct on this occasion ; we 
have your instructions and will faithfully pursue 
them.' But this course was entirely proper : and 
for the delegates to have acted otherwise would 
have been to disobey the express commands of the 
New York provincial congress which they repre- 
sented. Upon the passage of the resolution of May 
15 by the continental congress the New York dele- 
gates on June 8, wrote home to ascertain the senti- 
ments of their constituents on the question of in- 
dependence which was expected to come up shortly 
in that body. M^nwhile on June 19, a new pro- 
vincial congress was elected by New York for the 
express purpose of acting on the question of inde- 
pendence, as the previous one to whom the letter 
of the delegates was addressed, did not consider 
itself authorized so to do. The old provincial con- 
gress continued to sit for some days after the new 
one was chosen : and of course can be excused for 
not authorizing their delegates in the Continental 



congress to vote for independence. They purposely 1 
left it to the new provincial congress, which met at 1 
White Plains, July 8, 1776, and which, the very next ^ 
day, passed unanimously a resolution approving the 
Declaration of Independence. The fact upon which 
considerable stress has been laid— that the New , 
York delegates in the Continental congress were 
not the voters for the adhesion of the colony of 
New York — is a purely private and local affair be- 1 
tween them and their constituents: nor does it, in. ' 
the slighest degree, affect the willingness of New 
York to declare itself independent. There was very 
little toryism that dared to show itself to the peo- 
ple at this late day. Most of the leading loyalists 
had either left the state or were hiding. Indeed, as 
a matter of fact. New Yorkers were as nearly unan- 
imous at the time as either New Jersey or Pennsyl- 
vania. Finally when, on the 2d of July, t^ie vote was 
taken for formal independence, the New York del- 
egates, who, for local reasons, could not act for 
their state, were probably much better disposed 
than those of Pennsylvania, who could act and yet 
were intending to vote four against independence 
and three for it — and it was only by great persua- 
sion that two of the four were induced to absent 
themselves so as to turn the minority in majority. 
Though the colony of New York failed, for the 
above reasons to vote, the state failed not to act 
for liberty and independence. 

The official record of the momentous proceedings 
of the 2d is in these words: 

"Tuesday, July 2. 1776. The Congress resumed 
the consideration of the resolution from the com- 
mittee of the whole, which was agreed to as fol- 
lows : 

"Resolved, That these I'nited States colonies are, 
and of right ought to be, free and independent states ; 
that they are absolved from all allegiance to the 
British crown, and that all political connection 
between them and the state of Great Britain is, 
and ought to be totally dissolved." 

"From the hour when that vote was taken and 
that record made," says Mr. McKean very justly 
in his centennial address, "the United States of 
America 'assuming among the powers of the earth 
the separate and equal station to which the laws 
of nature and of nature's God entitle them.' " 

In fact, the 2d of July and not the 4th, should be 
the day for the celebration of our independence. 
That it would be was the opinion of the prominent 
men of that day. On the morning of the 1st of 
July John -'\dams, anticipating independence in 
that day's vote, wrote from Pennsylvania to .Archi- 
bald Bullock, "May Heaven prosper the new-born 
republic, and make it more glorious than any 
former republics have been." And, on the third, 
after the adoption of the resolution of Independ- 
ence, he wrote to his wife as follows: "Yesterday 
the greatest question was decided which ever was 
debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never 
was, nor will be decided among men. That will 
live as truth among all .Americans who know and 
value the history of their country;" and in the 
course of the same letter, he adds: "The second 
day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



225 



in the history of America. I am apt to believe that 
it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as 
the great anniversary festival, be solemnized with 
pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, gims, 
bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the 
continent to another, from this time forevermore. 
It ought also to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God 
Almighty. **.******** 
Through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravish- 
ing light and glory; and prosperity will triumph 
in this day's transaction." 

At length on the fourth of July, 1776, the Decla- 
ration of Independence — the complement of the act 
of the second, having been drafted by Thomas 
Jefferson, was formally submitted to the delegates 
present. 

If, however, it be asked, how has it come to pass 
that the fourth of July has been substituted as a 
day of celebration for the second, the real date of 
the birth of the United States as an independent 
iidtion? the answer is, that the resolution of the 
second was passed in private session and remained 
unknown to the people generally luitil the reso- 
lution and the declaration were publicly pro- 
claimed together. "There was nothing in the 
phrase of the resolution to cause it to live in 
the popular memory — while there was everything 
in the Declaration to give it a vital hold upon 
the affections of the American people." But 
there was still another cause for this. It has been 
well said, that "the great importance — the decisive 
and controlling character of the resolution of inde- 
pendence, adopted on the 2d day of July. 1776, have 
been obscured to the popular vision by the splendor 
and fame of Jefferson's immortal declaration of the 
reasons for the adoption of that resolution. Yet 
Jefferson himself never allowed the one to over- 
shadow in his estimation the importance of the other. 
The declaration, in his mind, was intended to be 
'an appeal to the tribunal of the world' as a justi- 
fication of what had already been done. It was in- 
tended, he says, 'toj5e an expression of the Ameri- 
can mind, and to give that expression, the proper 
tone and spirit called for by the occasion; to place 
before mankind the common sense of the subiect in 
terms so plain and firm as to command their assent.' 
Yet the Declaration of Independence has dislodged 
the resolution of independence in the popular mind ; 
and the fourth of July has displaced the second as 
the nation's holiday and the patriot's high festival." 

But the strictly official action, following the trans- 
mission of the declaration by the president of con- 
gress to the civil and military authorities of the 
thirteen colonies, deserves particular mention. The 
president, in sending on the 6th of July, the dec- 
laration to the different provincial congresses, said 
"that congress had judged it necessary to dissolve 
all connection between Great Britain's American 
colonies, and requested that its action might be 
proclaimed in the manner that might be thought 
best." The approval of its terms by all of the 
colonies was hearty and unanimous ; but especially 
was this the case in Rhode Island, where the rati- 
fications were printed and read before great as- 



semblages of the civil authorities, the militia and 
the people. The following is the pledge of Rhode 
Island, which was a fitting sequel to the destruc- 
tion of the British sloop "Liberty" and dismantling 
of the royal fort at Newport and the burning of 
the Gaspee in the waters of the Narragansett : 

"State of Rhode Island and Providence Plan- 

TIONS. 

"In general assembly, July session, 1776. 

"This general assembly, taking into the most 
serious consideration the resolution of the most 
honorable, the general congress of the United 
States of America of the 4th inst., declaring the 
said states free and independent, do approve the 
said resolution ; and do most solemnly engage that 
it will support the said general congress with our 
lives and fortunes. 

"Henry Ward, 

"Secretary of State." 

Henry Ward, the signer of this ringing resolu- 
tion, was the younger brother of Samuel Ward, 
the colonial war governor of Rhode Island, and 
who also has the distinguished honor of being the 
first one to bring forward in the continental con- 
gress a resolution proposing George Washington 
for commander-in-chief of the continental armies. 

We are now prepared to speak of the signing of 
the document — known as the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence and which you have all doubtless seen 
and examined. 

In thinking of that instrument we are apt to 
bring up before the imagination an august assemb- 
lage, gravely seated around a table with the decla- 
ration spread out upon it, and each member of the 
continental congress, in turn, taking a pen and 
with great dignity affixing to it his name. Nothing, 
however, can be farther from that which actually 
took place. Very few of the delegates, if, indeed, 
any, signed the original document on the 4th. and 
none signed the present one now in Independence 
Hall, for the very good reason that it was not then 
in existence. 

On July 19, congress voted that the declaration 
be engrossed on parchment. Jefferson, however, 
says that New York signed on July 15, consequently 
New York must have signed the original copy of 
the declaration before it had gone into the hands of 
the engrosser. What day the work was done by 
the copyist is not known. All that is certainly 
known is, that on the 2d of .August, congress had the 
document as engrossed. This is the document which 
was on exhibition during the centennial in Inde- 
pendence Hall, Philadelphia, and which is now in 
the state department at Washington. It is un- 
fortunate that, at the present day, the signatures 
can only with difficulty be made out. A recent 
writer has said "that the ink was stolen ! that some 
one, several years since, obtained permission to 
make a fac simile of the declaration, and passed the 
parchment between heavy rollers, which took up 
most of the ink. causing the writing to become faint 
and many of the signatures wholly illegible." On 
that day (August 2) this present document was 
signed by all the members present, among whom 



226 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



were Hopkins and Ellery, the delegates from Rhode 
Island. The original declaration is lost, or rather 
was probably purposely destroyed by congress. All 
the signatures were made anew. When the busi- 
ness of signing was ended is not known. One Mat- 
thew Thornton from New Hampshire signed it in 
November when he became a member for the first 
time, and Thomas McKean from Delaware — as he 
says himself — did not sign till January, 1777. In- 
deed, this signing was, in effect what, at the present 
day, would be called a "test oath." The principles 
of many of the new delegates, coming into congress 
from the different states, were not known with cer- 
tainty — some of them might be tories in disguise — 
and thus each one was required, on first entering 
congress, to sign the declaration. In January, 1777, 
an authenticated copy, with the names of the signers, 
was sent to each .?tate, a fact which may have put 
a stop to the business of signing. It shows, how- 
ever, the little importance that was attached to this 
ceremony, that Robert R. Livingston was one of 
the committee of five that reported the declaration 
and yet did not sign it, unless his signature is lost 
with the original document. The fact is that, as 
a late writer of high authority, Mr. Roberdeau 
Buchanon, says. "The signing was not the vital 
act that gave life and force to the declaration; but 
merely the attestation of that act already consum- 
mated; and, judging by the printed broadside, per- 
formed wholly for the satisfaction of the public." 

But I am not delving in the field of conjecture. 
The same questions seem to have occurred as early 
as 1813, when Thomas Rodney wrote to Gov. 
Thomas McKean, a delegate from Delaware and 
afterwards president of congress and governor of 
Pennsylvania, asking him why his name was not 
among the list of the signers in the printed journals 
of congress. To this letter Gov. McKean replied 
under date of Oct. 22, 1813, as follows: 

"Now that I am on this subject I will tell you 
something not generally known. In the printed 
public journal of congress for 1776, Vol. II, it 
would appear that the Declaration of Independence 
was signed on the 4th of July by the members 
whose names are there inserted. But the fact is 
not so — for no person signed it on that day, nor 
for many days after ; and among the names sub- 
scribed one was against it. Mr. Reed and seven 
others were not in congress on that day, viz : 
Messrs. Morris, Rush, Clymer, Smith, Taylor and 
Ross of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Thornton of New 
Hampshire. Nor were the six gentlemen last named 
at that time members. The five for Pennsylvania 
were appointed delegates by the convention of that 
state on the 26th day of July and Thornton entered 
congress, for the first time, on the 4th of November 
following, when the names of Henry Wisner of New 
York and Thomas McKean of Delaware were not 
printed as subscribers, though both were present and 
voted for independence. 

The truth is, the Declaration of Independence 
was considered at that time of much less importance 
than now; nor did the signers dream of its becom- 
ing a shrine almost of worship at the present day. 
It is a dramatic incident, and naturally concen- 



trates men's attention on it. In the public mind 
at the time the provincial congresses were more 
important than the general congress. The latter 
was a body of agents and formed no sovereignty 
except for war purposes. The real sovereigns were 
the states. 

A word, in conclusion, regarding American 
achievements of which the resolution of the 2d of 
July was the precursor ; for the effects of that reso- 
lution, in all that tends to national greatness, were 
not like the short-lived splendors of the morning 
star. From the date of the passage of that resolu- 
tion, higher and higher like the sun, and with a 
steady radiance, has risen the present grandeur of 
the United States! No Sidney Smith may now 
sneeringly ask, "Who reads an American book?" 
Nor, can a Talleyrand now point the finger of scorn 
at us and mockingly enquire, "Where is your his- 
tory?" We have a literature and a history as 
brilliant as any that sheds lustre upon the annals 
of the past. 

"Soldiers !" said Napoleon, on the eve of one of 
his battles, and in one of those bulletins with which 
he was wont to electrify all Europe, "soldiers ! 
from yonder pyramids forty centuries are gazing 
down upon you !" But, on that 2d of July, from 
far nobler and grander heights, the Providence of 
God was looking down upon the little band of 
patriots, moulding and shaping the events that were 
to spring from its deliberations, so that they should 
endure, not through this world only, but through- 
out the ages. 

At the conclusion of the address, to the 
inspiring strains of "My country, 'tis of thee," 
by the band, the assembled thousands de- 
parted from a scene the most memorable in 
the history of a hundred years. 

THE FIREWORKS. 

In the early evening the trolley cars from 
Saratoga Springs and Schenectady brought 
thousands of visitors to see the celebration. 
It is estimated that fully fifteen thousand peo- 
ple were congregated on Low street, Front 
street and on the railroad station grounds 
to witness the display. It gave universal sat- 
isfaction and lasted nearly an hour. 

The display began with the rocket guns 
followed by the set piece, "Welcome To All." 
During the evening two set pieces that were 
greatly admired were those of the "Old Bap- 
tist Church" and the "Old Sans Souci." The 
portrayals were admirable, the outlines of 
these buildings being shown clearly in lines 
of fire. 

One of the prettiest pieces was the "Niagara 
Falls." As the stream of fire descended from 
a wire strung across the street it lit up all the 
intervening space, and gazing from the rail- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



227 



road to Front street a sea of faces was shown 
in bold relief, a sight never to be forgotten. 

During the display, Boring's Band, sta- 
tioned at the Soldier's Monument, gave a fine 
concert. 

With "Good Night" in fireworks, and 
"America" by the Band, the Centennial of 
Ballston Spa, in the words of President Wis- 
wall "a glorious, impressive and dignified" 
celebration, came to a close. 

NEWSPAPER REPORTS. 

The Schenectady Gazette said: 

"The four-day celebration of the centenary of 
the incorporation of the village of Ballston Spa 
culminated Tuesday with the grand climax of the 
whole affair. There was a parade of military, civic 
and fraternal organizations, and floats more than 
a mile in length. In the afternoon the centennial 
exercises proper were held. Many celebrations 
have been held by the village, but none approached 
in magnitude and pleasure-giving this recognition 
of the hundredth milestone in the life of the village. 

"The old town was gorgeous in its decking of 
bunting and flags, while the residential streets, 
arched over with their century-old elms and maples 
looked to many even prettier than the gayer portions 
of the village. Suspended from the immense trees 
almost every hundred feet were immense flags, 
which lent a touch of color that enhanced the beauty 
of nature, if that were possible. 

"Hundreds of visitors had arrived during the first 
days of the celebration, but the incoming trains 
and trolleys Tuesday morning brought hundreds 
more to swell the crowds on the street, and long 
before the parade started the streets were crowded 
with spectators. It was a good natured crowd, and 
as the different organizations passed they were 
loudly cheered. 

"Hardly a grander spot could have been chosen 
for the afternoon exercises than that selected by 
the committee. The grand stand was built in front 
of the Christ Church parish house, which is at the 
junction of five streets. The parish house was built 
in the late fifties as an armory, and the military ap- 
pearance of the building, with its narrow windows 
and tower, made an admirable background, while 
the lawn in front and on the sides, with the ad- 
joining streets, gave ample room for the thousands 
who were present to see Governor Hughes and listen 
to the exercises. 

"The exercises were presided over by Hon. Jesse 
S. L'Amoreaux, former county judge, and were 
opened with a selection by Boring's Band of Troy. 
President I. W. Wiswall, president of the village, 
as well as of the centennial celebration, gave the 
address of welcome in his usual agreeable manner, 
in which he touched briefly on the gloriousness of 
the village. 

"Hon. J. S. L'Amoreaux then gave an address, 
which was followed by the chorus of the school 
children singing "The Star Spangled Banner," which 



was sung in an inspiring manner. Then followed 
the centennial oration by General Horatio C. King 
of New York, in which he gave a large portion to 
historical incidents connected with the village and 
the great men that it has given to the country. 

"The centennial poem by Rev. Howard B. Grose, 
D.D., of New York, a former Ballstonian, was 
preceded by a selection by the Band. 

"Governor Charles E. Hughes was to give a short 
address, but owing to the Legislature's protracted 
session he could not be present. The closing ad- 
dress was delivered by Col. William L. Stone of 
Mount Vernon, popularly known as the historian of 
Saratoga county. As the historical part had been 
well covered. Col. Stone ^gave an address on the 
'Declaration of Independence in a New Light.' 

"The celebration closed with a grand display of 
fire works on Low street in the evening." 

The Saratogian said: 

"Centennial has passed into Ancient History — 
But nobody who went to Ballston will forget it — 
Biggest success ever — Largest crowds, best policing, 
greatest fun, swellest fireworks and finest music. 

"Ballston Spa is to-day recovering from the cel- 
ebration of its centennial. As the circus posters 
read, it was the 'biggest, best, and most glorious' 
of any similar events within the memory of the 
oldest inhabitant in this part of the state. 

"Not a blot marred the affair. The thunder storm 
during the parade sent the crowd to scurrying for 
a few minutes, but that was the only sign of a rain 
drop. And the crowd was a big one. Even bigger 
than had been anticipated. Chief O'Brien and his 
men handled the crowds with such skill that rowdy- 
ism was lacking. To President Wiswall and his 
committees, great praise is due, and they were re- 
ceiving it to-day. 

"The fine display of Pain's fireworks closed the 
glorious celebration of the centennial in a blaze of 
glory as well as of fire. It is estimated that fully 
fifteen thousand people saw the magnificent display. 
The fireworks were sent up from the railroad track 
on Low street. This street is the widest in town, 
being over a hundred feet in breadth, and from the 
railroad to Front street it was packed solid with 
spectators while the station grounds held a thou- 
sand or more and abutting streets contained their 
quota of spectators. 

"Roofs of buildings and all the windows within 
view of the display were crowded. While the crowd 
was waiting good naturedly for the display to begin 
they were entertained by music by the band. 

"After the opening gun rockets the piece 'Welcome 
To All,' was set off and was followed by hundreds 
of rockets, Roman candles, etc. Then the set piece 
'The Old Baptist Chmurch' was fired and elicited 
hearty applause. Then followed other pieces and 
the set piece, 'The Old Sans Souci Hotel,' which 
gave a very good representation in fire of this fa- 
mous hostelry. 

"The di.splay which lasted for nearly an hour 
was brought to a close with the 'Good Night' piece 
and the band played 'America,' closing the celebra- 
tion, except the return for the thousands of visitors 



228 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



from neighboring towns. It was after midnight be- 
fore the last of the visitors were able to get home. 

;' EDITORIAL COMMENTS. 

The BaUston Journal: "It seems most superflous 
to add a word to what has already been said of the 
observance of the close of the first century of the 
•municipal life of the village. If this celebration, and 
the eloquent utterances of the many speakers, shall 
have served to increase the pride of our citizens in 
their village, shall have determined them to ever 
work for its betterment, civil and religious, the cel- 
ebration will not have been in vain, and time and 
money not ill spent. 

"Praises unstinted have been showered upon us. 
Ballston has been heralded far and near as a de- 
sirable place of residence. Its home life and civic 
government lauded unceasingly. Let us resolve 
that nothing shall occur to mar its good name. 

"Of the celebration itself it has been fully de- 
scribed in the news columns of the paper and will 
no doubt be read with interest now, perhaps in 
future years will be perused with still greater in- 
terest. 

"Much honor is due to the citizens of the village 
who have spared neither time nor effort to make 
the celebration a splendid one." 

The Sarotogian: "The people of the countv seat 
have done well to commemorate so elaborately and 
attractively this centennial. We are a young coun- 
try, and to_ have reached the age of one hundred 
years, is evidence of those qualities and virtues that 
make a community worth while. It speaks of so- 
lidity of purpose, of a community of interest, of a 
municipal pride and an abiding faith in the beauties 
and opportunities of a village that must draw to 
it others who are seeking just such a place in which 
to cast their lot." 

The Troy Times: " 'Ballston Spa is a good old 
town' and it is having a good old centennial. 
Whether the ardor of the exercises has anything 
to do with the fervency of the temperature does 
not appear, but for more than a centurv Ballston 
Spa has been noted for its underground connections 
with vigorous waters and there may be a hidden 
connection between mineralogy and meteorology. 
Anyway, Ballston Spa is proving that it has not 
only developed many worthy sons and daughters, 
but has enriched the population of other places by 
contributions of distinguished men. Saratoga 
county is a glorious old division of the state, and 
Ballston Spa came pretty near seeing that county 
first. ^ Here's to another century of good spring's 
and just as good summers, autumns and winters." 

The Ballston Daily News: "Judge L'Amoreaux 
thrilled the vast throng with his inspiring speech, 
which won him new laurels." 

"The 'glory, fame and greatness' of Ballston Spa 
have seldom inspired a speaker as it did Tudge 
Jesse S. L'Amoreaux." 

"The most inspiring number on the program was 
the centennial ode composed and read by Rev 
Howard B. Grose of New York, a former resident 



of Ballston Spa, who now holds a position high in 
Baptist literary circles. 

"The ode was a meritorious composition and held 
the closest attention of the vast concourse of peo- 
ple during its recital. Rev. Mr. Grose had woven 
together in clever rhyme many historical facts of 
Ballston Spa and many events which had come un- 
der his personal observation during his residence 
in this village. The prospect of listening to a cen- 
tennial ode IS not cheerful, but the crowd remained 
to listen and had the heartiest series of laughs it 
has had m years. Few, if any within the hearing 
of his voice left as Mr. Grose read poem after poem 
about Ballston Spa. The audience regretted when 
he finished; it would like to have heard more." 

CENTENNIAL ECHOES. 

The Ballston Journal of August 3, pub- 
lished the following, under the head of 
"Echoes of the Centennial:" 

"Hon. George W. Clark, of New York City, was 
an honored guest at the centennial celebration He 
is a brother-in-law of Mr. S. B. Medbery and 
although long a resident of New York, his frequent 
visits in the summer season to our village, have made 
him well-known in the communitv. Mr. Clark sends 
us a most interesting account of his recent visit 
He writes : 

"Editor Ballston Journal: I was born at West 
Milton April i, 1817, and when at 90, I received the 
invitation some two weeks previous to the celebra- 
tion of Ballston's centennial, to be present. I was 
recovering from pneumonia, which very few of my 
age survive, and I was not certain of being able to 
attend. A few days, however, before the centennial 
proceedings began, my doctor told me I could go if 
I would be careful to be on my feet as little as pos- 
sible. I took my wife, and with the delightful hos- 
pitality of the McKnight familv. I shall never re- 
gret this Centennial visit to my birthplace. But 
the program of exercises for the great occasion had 
to be made up before I could advise the Committee 
of Arrangements that I would be able to come, thus 
happily free from any possible special dutv, the 
District Attorney's auto at my service, with himself 
for company as chauffeur, we saw all parts of Balls- 
Ion, never as beautiful as before; shook hands with 
old friends we met in our drives, and attended all 
the attractively arranged features of the grand cen- 
tennial event. 

"The splendid portraiture of Ballston Spa's one 
hundred years history, as given by the committee 
which planned the centennial doings, including its 
poet and orators, is evidence that there has been 
no degeneracy in the intelligence and public spirit 
of Ballston's present citizenship. As the noble and 
thrilling speeches were made from the platform 
before a vast audience. I grew prouder'and prouder 
of being a native of Ballston. Wiswall's eloquent 
greeting of the people : Judge L'Amoreaux's charm- 
ing address, a scholarly pen picture of Ballston's 
hundred years ; the poem by Rev. Howard B. Grose, 
which will never be forgotten by the lovers of truth 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



229 



and beauty of expression; William L. Stone's revel- 
ation of new light on the Declaration of Independ- 
ence were warmly received, while the grand oration 
by Gen. H. C. King completely captured the favor 
of ten thousand listeners. Only once did his faint- 
ness in praising Ballston Spa get the best of him. 
In speaking of our victory over Burgoyne, he says : 
'Ballston Spa has a right to a full share of the 
glory of this achievement.' He admits this victory 
for the colonies was 'a Waterloo to British hopes.' 
It weakened and discouraged .their fighting forces, 
and soon led to their surrender. The colonies' in- 
dependence was not long delayed, and to-day, in- 
stead of being under the rule of Great Britain, the 
United States stand at the very head of nationally 
organized humanity. The great victory at Bemis 
Heights, on the soil of Saratoga county, of which 
Ballston Spa is the capital, was an achievement 
which measured by its beneficent results to the 
world outranks all the ambitious battles of ancient 
or modern times, and entitles it to immortal fame 
rather than simply a share of its glory. No wonder 
all native Ballstonians are proud of their mother 



earth that also gave birth in fact to the grandest 
Republic in history. 

"Respectfully, 

"George W. Clark." 

As a final word, and because it deserves a 
permanent place in the record, the work of 
the Finance Committee should have special 
mention. Each committee performed its 
duties zealously and with conspicuous suc- 
cess, but to the committee on finance is to be 
accorded the unusual praise of providing 
"ways and means" which enabled the Cen- 
tennial Association to meet all the expenses 
of the splendid celebration, and after the last 
bill had been paid to report a balance in the 
treasury of about twenty dollars. The total 
amount contributed cheerfully and generously 
by our citizens was, in round numbers, two 
thousand dollars. 





JOEL LEE. 





EDWARD \V. LEE. 



JOHN J. LEE. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



231 



Biographical 



IN the one hundred years' history of the 
village of Ballston Spa, there are five 
families which have been prominently 
identified with its religious, social, busi- 
ness and professional life, from the earliest 
davs to the present time. In chronological 
order they are: Joseph Westcot, 1795; Joel 
Lee, 1797; Samuel Smith, 1806; James 
Thompson, 1806; Moses Williams, 1807. 

THE LEE FAMILY. 

John Lee came from Danbury, Conn., in 
1793, with his wife jmd six children: Elias, 
Joel, William, Noah, Abigail and Ruth. He 
settled in Milton, west of Rock City Falls. 
Elias Lee was the first pastor of the Baptist 
church, and a sketch of his life is given in 
the history of that pioneer village church. 

Joel Lee was born in Danbury, Conn., 
April 12, 1776. On reaching his majority 
in 1797, he purchased a farm in Ballston, 
(in recent years known as the Amos Hewitt 
farm) and built a house on the site of the 
present Hewitt house. Irr 1800 he began 
business as a merchant in the growing village 
of Ballston Spa, opening a "general store" 
for the sale of dry goods, groceries, hard- 
ware, crockery, etc., etc. March 25, 1805, he 
was appointed postmaster, and continued to 
hold the office for thirty-six years. In 1806, 
he purchased a plot of ground at the corner 
of Front and Bath streets and built a store 
on the corner, where the First National Bank 
is now located. The post-office was kept 
in this store until 1841, when he was suc- 
ceeded as postmaster by James W. Horton. 
In 1 83 1 he built the stone house on Bath 
street, north of his store, for his son Edward 
as a wedding gift, who resided there for many 
years. In 1834 his oldest son, Edward W., 
became his business partner, under the firm 
name of Joel Lee & Son. He retired from 
business in 1845, after having been one of 
the prominent men of the community for 
half a century. Mr. Lee was Member of 
I 



Assembly in 1810, and again in 1836. He 
married Patience Westcot, daughter of 
Joseph Westcot. Their children were Ed- 
ward W., John J., George W., Julia, Emeline, 
Augusta, Lucy, Mary and Frances. 

Edward Wescot Lee was born in Ballston 
Spa, May 3, 1809, and was the eldest son of 
Joel Lee. He died August 3, 1891, aged 
eighty-two years, at the time of his decease 
being the oldest native resident of the vil- 
lage. Early in life he became associated 
with his father in mercantile trade, and for 
half a century was one of the leading mer- 
chants of Ballston Spa. He was county 
treasurer one term, 1847-8-9, and also county 
superintendent of the poor. He was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and for 
many years an elder of the church. A mem- 
ber of the Saratoga County Bible Society, 
he was its president in 1875, and for many 
years the treasurer of the Society. His 
whole life was passed in the village of his 
birth, and he enjoyed the respect and esteem 
of a very wide circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances. 

John Joel Lee was bom in Ballston Spa, 
August 22, 181 7, and was the second son of 
Joel Lee. When a young man he went to 
New York where he learned the goldsmith's 
trade, and his principal recreation was found 
in the hours he employed in fashioning beau- 
tiful specimens of his skill for his friends. 
He was connected with the Ballston Spa 
Bank, as teller and cashier, from its organ- 
ization until his death, over forty-eight years. 
With the exception of the two years in New 
York, Mr. Lee was a resident of his native 
village, and through a long life of honest, 
conscientious endeavor to discharge faith- 
fully everv trust committed to him, had won 
the respect and esteem of the entire com- 
munity, and a much larger circle of friends 
and acquaintances with whom he had come 
in contact through his connection with the 
Bank. In early life he became a communi- 



232 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



cant of the Baptist Church. He was a prom- 
inent Mason, and a member of FrankHn 
Lodge, Warren Chapter and Washington 
Commandery. He was also an Odd Fellow, 
being a Past Grand of old Kayaderosseras 
Lodge. He died October 6, 1887, full of 
years and honors, at the age of seventy. 

George W. Lee was bom in Ballston Spa 
October 6, 1825. The greater part of his 
life, after arriving at his majority, was spent 
m the West. He died in Virginia City, Ne- 
vada, September 26, 1879, aged fiftv-four 
years. 

Julia Lee married Robert Bennett, a mer- 
chant in the village, and after his death be- 
came the wife of Jonathan S. Beach ; Emeline 
married David F. White, a son of Epenetus 
White, Jr. ; Augusta married John W. Thomp- 
son; Lucy married George G. Scott; Mary 
married Nathaniel M. Clark; Frances mar- 
ried Callender Beecher, a rising young law- 
yer of the village, and several years after his 
death became the wife of John McLean. 
Mrs. McLean is now one of Ballston's oldest 
residents, and the only survivor of the familv 
of Joel Lee. 

The surviving members of the family of 
Edward W. Lee are Mrs. Frederick T 
Powell, Miss Mary J. Lee and iMrs. Edward 
F. Grose, of Ballston Spa; Mrs. John Ar- 
buckle, of Watkins, N. Y., and Walter S 
Lee, of Boulder, Colorado. 

Mrs. Isabel Lee Parmenter, of Saratoga 
Springs, IS the only survivor of John J. Lee. 



engaged exclusively in the business of a 
druggist. This is the only store in the vil- 
lage that has remained in possession of 
the descendants of the original owner until 
the present time. He died May 15, 1862, 
aged 71 years. For many years he 'was a 
member of Christ church, and one of its ves- 



THE WESTCOT FAMILY. 

Joseph Westcot came from Stephentown 
Rensselaer county, to Ballston Spa, and in 
1795. in company with Reuben Hewitt pur- 
chased the hotel of Benajah Douglas, (now 
Brookside). At this time his son Reuben 
was in his fourth year. 

Reuben Westcot, born November 25, 1791 
had just reached his majority when the war 
of 1812 broke out. He enlisted as a volun- 
teer, and rose to the rank of captain. After 
the close of the war he returned to this vil- 
lage, and in 18 15 opened a general store. In 
1818 he built the store now occupied by H. 
C. Westcot, his grandson, adjoining the First 
National Bank. In 184 1 Mr. Westcot closed 
out his stock of dry goods and groceries and 




KECCEN Wri.STCOT. 

trymen. He was widely known as an enter- 
prising business man, and was highly re- 
spected as a citizen. He was a trustee of the 
village for seven years, a coroner of the coun- 
ty, and in 185 1 and 1855 was village presi- 
dent. 

The children of Reuben Westcot were John 
H., Joseph E., Sarah, Mary and Frances. 

John Howard Westcot was born in Balls- 
ton Spa September 20, 1823. Throughout 
his whole life, which was spent in his native 
village, he enjoyed, and was worthv of the 
confidence and esteem of all with whom he 
became associated. He succeeded to the 
business of his father, which he continued 
until his death. He was a member of Christ 
church, a member of the vestry, and for the 
last ten years of his life its junior warden. 
He was trustee of the village four years, and 
village president in 1866-7. He was also a 
member of the Board of Education. Prom- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



233 



inent in Masonic circles, he was a member of 
Franklin Lodge, Warren Chapter, Bless 
Council, of Troy, Washington Commandery, 




■f 



\ 



JUH.V II. WESTCOT. 

of Saratoga Springs, and Oriental Temple, 
Mystic Shrine, Troy. He died February 20, 
1895, aged /2 years, and was buried with the 
honors of Knight Tcniplarisni. 




JOSEPH E. WESTCOT 
At his Desk in County Clerk's Office. 

Joseph E. W'cstcot was born in Ballston 
Spa September 17, 1827. He was a copyist 
in the county clerk's office from 1847 to 
1852. He was engaged in business for some 



years in New Orleans, and on returning to 
this village in 1871, he was employed in the 
county clerk's office, engaged in re-indexing 
the records. On the death of John B. Mc- 
Lean, December 24, 1879, he was appointed 
deputy county clerk, and held that position 
for twenty years. He was village trustee 
for two terms. In the discharge of the im- 
portant and exacting duties of deputy county 
clerk he displayed a rare efficiency. He died 
June I, 1902, aged 75 years. 

Sarah Westcot married Lorenzo Kelly, 
who afterward became the publisher of the 
Rochester Union and Advertiser ; Mary 
never married; Frances became the wife of 
Nathan J. Johnson, a lawyer by profession. 
He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 115th New 
York Volunteers in the Civil war. 

The only survivors of this old Ballston 
family residing in the village are a son and 
daughter of John H. Westcot: Mrs. Fanny 
Kline and Herbert C. Westcot. Another son 
is Reuben W. Westcot, of Yonkers, N. Y. 



THE SAHTH FAMILY. 

Andrew Watrous Smith was born in Balls- 
ton Spa December 12, 1812. When about 
eighteen years of age he went to New Orleans 
and took a clerkship in the banking house of 
Edward McMaster, also a native of Ballston. 
A few years later he was joined by his younger 
brother, Samuel, and subsequently they 
formed the banking house of Smith Brothers 
& Company, of New Orleans. 

When the war of the rebellion broke out 
they were doing a heavy business as bankers 
and cotton brokers. At the time the city 
was captured by the forces under Gen. But- 
ler, there were .$90,000 in gold in their vaults. 
This was confiscated by Gen. Butler's orders, 
and the Smith Brothers closed their doors 
and returned to their native town, in which 
they had always spent the summer seasons. 
After the close of the war they brought suit 
against Gen. Butler in the United States Su- 
preme Court and recovered their property. 
They then reopened their banking house in 
New Orleans and continued business until 
1870, when they sold out and returned to 
their native village to reside for the remainder 
of their days. 

Andrew Smith purchased the mansion of 



234 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Robert P. McMaster, on High street, and 
here his widow still resides. He died Jan- 
uary 25, 1886, in the seventy-fourth year of 
his age. His widow, Mrs. Emma Thomp- 
son Smith, daughter of the late George 
Thompson, survives him, and four sons, 
Samuel, George T., Roland W. and Ed- 
ward L. 

Samuel Smith, brother of Andrew, was 
born in Ballston Spa, February 4, 1819. After 
his return from New Orleans in 1870, he 
built a large mansion at the corner of High 
street and Ballston avenue, and made 
his home in this village until his death on 
February 16, 1884, aged sixty-five years. 
His widow and four children survive him: 
Andrew W. and Sidney J., of New York; 
Cora, Countess of Strafford, England, and 
Ada, Mrs. Alfred Kessler, of New York. 

Robert P. Smith, a younger brother, was 
born in Ballston Spa April 30, 1827.' He 
was employed by Andrew and Samuel in the 
banking business at New Orleans. He also 
made this village his home during the latter 
years of his life. He died April 29, 1881, 
aged fifty-four years. These three brothers 
were genial, whole-souled gentlemen, highly 
respected throughout the community, and 
with a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances in their native town. 

Their father, Samuel Smith, was one of 
the first merchant tailors of this village. He 
commenced business here about the time the 
village was incorporated. He was born in 
the town of Balls-town in 1780, his father 
Thomas Smith, being one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of the town. Samuel Smith married 
Lucinda Watrous, daughter of Edward A. 
Watrous, another pioneer settler of the 
town. There were four daughters: Char- 
lotte, wlio married Wheeler K. Booth: Ann 
married Nathaniel Montrose of New Or- 
leans; Alicia married Samuel S. Wakeman; 
Mary married Dr. Leverett Moore; Martha 
married Thomas S. Dugan of New Orleans. 
Mrs. Montrose still resides in this village 
and is the sole survivor of the family of 
Samuel Smith. 



THE THOMPSON FAMILY. 

John Thompson, one of the pioneers of 
Saratoga county, settled in the town of Still- 
water in 1763. In 1791 he was commissioned 



First Judge of the county. Judge Thomp- 
son was afterward a Member of Congress 
from 1799 to 1 80 1, and was also a delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention which met 
at Albany October 13, 1801.. He was again 
elected to Congress, serving two terms, from 
1807 to 181 1. Prior to the organization of 
the county he had represented this part of 
Albany county in the Assembly of 1789. 
John Thompson was the father of James 
Thompson, who was also commissioned First 
Judge of the county, and remained on the 
bench from 1818 to 1833. In 1806 he pur- 
chased a farm in Milton, about two miles 
northwest of Ballston Spa, which has since 
been known as the "Judge Thompson place." 
His son, John Whalen Thompson, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, succeeded to the judicial 
honors of the family, having been Surrogate 
of the county from 1834 to 1847. He was 
born at the family homestead in Milton, De- 
cember 29, 1808. He graduated from Union 
College in 1827, and the same year com- 
menced the study of the law. He was ad- 
mitted as an attorney in 1831, and formed a 
law partnership with Anson Brown, which 
was continued with success until Mr. Brown's 
death, while a Representative in Congress, in 
1840. In 1834 Mr. Thompson was appointed 
Surrogate by Governor Marcy, and remained 
in office until the new State Constitution took 
effect in 1847. He was Supervisor of Milton 
in 1854. One of the incorporators of the 
Ballston Spa Bank, and one of the first board 
of directors, he was elected President in 1856, 
on the resignation of James M. Cook, who 
had received the appointment of Superin- 
tendent of the State Banking Department. 
From this time on, he devoted his time to 
financial affairs, continuing as President of 
the Ballston Spa National Bank until his 
death on the 28th of June, 1892. in his eighty- 
fourth year. 

August 29, 1S35, he wedded Augusta Isa- 
bella Lee, a daughter of Joel Lee. Their 
children were George L., Samuel, Alice and 
Frank. 

George L. Thompson succeeded his father 
as President of the Bank. He was Super- 
visor of Milton in 1876-7-8-9, and again in 
1 88 1 -2-3-4. He was the only one of the 
children who married. His widow, and two 
children, George and Annie, survive him. 





SAMUEL SMITH. 



ANDREW W. SMITH. 





SAMUEL SMITH, Jr. 



ROBERT P. SMITH. 






JOHN \V. TIIOMPSO.X. 



GEORGE L. THOMPSON. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



237 



Alice Thompson died in Nice, Italy, in 
1898; Samuel died in 1899, and Frank in 
1902, at the homestead on High street. 

George Thompson, the elder brother of 
John W., was an alumnus of Union College, 
of the class of 1822, and was County Treas- 
urer four terms, from 1831 to 1844; a village 
trustee in 1835 and again in 1850, being 
elected President the latter year. He was a 
life-long resident of Ballston Spa, largely 
identified with Ballston's business interests. 
He died at his home on Milton avenue in the 
year 1871. Two daughters survive him. 
Mrs. Andrew W. Smith, of this village, and 
Mrs. Fanny Soutter, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 



THE WILLIAMS FAAIILY. 




MOSES WILLIAMS. 

Moses Williams was born in 1787, and be- 
came a resident of Ballston Spa a few years 
before its incorporation. He learned the 
trade of shoemaking, and soon after attain- 
ing his majority opened a shoe manufactory, 
and a few years later also engaged in the 
tannery business. He was appointed post- 
master in 1853, and held the office for eight 
years. In 1815-16 he was village trustee. He 
was widely known as one of the prominent 



men of the village, and at the time of his de- 
cease was its oldest inhabitant. He died June 
18, 1863, aged seventy-seven years. 

The children of Moses Williams were 
Jacob Henry Williams, Moses Lemet, Peter 
Piatt, Anna Maria, Sarah Matilda, Mary 




M. LEMET \\ILLI.\MS. 

McCrea, Charlotte, and Elouisa. Anna be- 
came the wife of Edward W. Lee; Sarah 
married James B. Sargent, a civil engineer, 
engaged on public works. The Saratoga and 
Whitehall railroad, and the Harlem railroad 
were constructed under his supervision. Mary 
and Charlotte never married. Elouisa became 
the wife of Rev. Samuel Irenaeus Prime, the 
first pastor of the Presbyterian Church. 

Moses Lemet Williams was born in this 
village March 11, 1826. From 1847 to 1855 
he was deputy county clerk. He resigned 
that position to engage in the business of 
druggist, and continued this business until 
his death. In 1861 he was appointed post- 
master by President Lincoln ; was reappointed 
in 1865, resigning the office in 1868 on ac- 
count of declining health. He was also a 
village trustee. He died October 19, 1869, 
aged forty-three years. Lemet Williams 
was a very popular man in the community. 



238 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



enjoying the confidence and friendship of a 
very wide circle. A Republican in politics, 
and a leader in his party, he was uncom- 
promising in his support of the Government 
during the civil war. 

Piatt Williams was born in Ballston Spa 
December 19, 1827. He qualified himself 
as a civil engineer, and was one of the en- 
gineering corps engaged in building the 
Hudson River railroad. He was also em- 
ployed in the construction of the Saratoga 
and Whitehall railroad, the Kansas Pacific, 
and other western roads. He also served as 
clerk in the State banking department, when 
a young man, luider Hon. James M. Cook. 
He was a soldier in the civil war, serving in 
the 13th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. He died 
October 12, 1883, aged fifty-six years. None 
of the children of ]\Ioses Williams are living. 

The survivors of the Williams family still 
living in Ballston Spa are ^liss Sarah M. 
Sargent and Miss Ada \\'illiams, and the 
children of Edward W. Lee, mentioned in 
the prec(^ding' sketch of that family. 



JOHN W. TAYLOR. 

Hon. John W. Taylor, one of the most 
distinguished men in political life, in both 
state and nation, that Saratoga county has 
ever produced, was throughout his public 
career a resident of l3allston Spa. He was 
born in the town of Charlton (then Ballston) 
March 26, 1784. His father was John Tay- 
lor, who moved from Freehold, New Jersey, 
to the "new country" in the State of New 
York, and settled in Charlton in 1774. John 
Taylor was Supervisor of Charlton in 1794 
and 1798, in the former year being chosen 
Moderator of the Board; judge of the county 
court from 1809 to 1818, inclusive; l\Iem- 
ber of Assembly in 1797 ; justice of the peace 
in 1808, and State Commissioner of Loans in 
Saratoga county. He died at the home of 
his son in Ballston Spa at the age of eighty 
years. 

John W. Taylor graduated from Union 
College, Schenectady, in 1803, at the early 
age of nineteen years, and was the valedic- 
torian of his class. The same year he organ- 
ized the Ballston .\cademy in the "old red 
meeting house," in the locality which since 
then has been known as Academy Hill. He 



also began the study of law with Samuel 
Cook, and in 1807 opened an office at Court 
House Hill in connection with that gentle- 
man. Subsequently they engaged in the lum- 
ber business, to superintend which Mr. 
Taylor removed to Jessup's Landing, then in 
the town of Hadley. In 181 1 he was elected 
Member of Assembly, and at the close of the 
legislative session in 1812 he purchased the 
residence of Epenetus White, Jr., on West 
High street, and soon after removed the 




JOHN W. TAYLOR. 

house to an adjoining lot, and erected the 
large mansion which was his home for thirty 
years, and is now the residence of Mr. John 
Brown. Miss Winifred Louise Taylor, a 
grand-daughter, has written the author in a 
most entertaining manner concerning her 
illustrious ancestor, and with her permission 
we shall quote liberally from her letter. Re- 
garding the home in Ballston Spa she writes : 
"In a very interesting old letter, written in Feb- 
ruary, 1812, by Mayor Richard Cox, of Mt. Holly, 
N. J., who was making a journey of 'upward of 
1,600 miles,' with his family in his own'carriage to 
visit his relatives — he was a brother to my grand- 
father's mother — I find this statement relative to my 
grandfather : 'John is building him a house ; at their 
last election he was chosen representative in their 
legislature.' Probably the beautiful old mantel and 
woodwork imported from England still remain in 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



239 



the house. The fine old brass knocker, also an im- 
portation, remained on the door of the hoiise until 
some ten years ago, when jMr. Brown sold it to my 
brother, and it is now on the front door of my 
father's house." 

In 1813 ]\Ir. Taylor was again a member 
s; of the Assembly, and at the election in this 
year he was chosen to represent Saratoga 
county (the eleventh district) in the Thir- 
teenth Congress, and was a member of con- 
gress uninterruptedly for twenty years. He 
was elected Speaker of the House of Repre- 
sentatives for the second session of the Six- 
teenth Congress, as successor of Henry Clay, 
and in 1825 was chosen Speaker of the Nine- 
teenth Congress for the full term. He was 
the only citizen of New York who ever held 
the third place in our government. On the 
admission of Missouri he delivered the first 
speech ever made in Congress squarely op- 
posing the extension of slavery. A contem- 
porary of Webster, Clay and Calhoun, a bril- 
liant orator and statesman, and a mail of 
rare judgment and experience, he was a 
leader of public opinion in his time, and was 
often consulted in national affairs by Presi- 
dents Madison, Monroe and Adams. 

The Ballston Spa Gazette, in its issue of 
December 13. 1825, said editorially of the 
election of John W. Taylor as Speaker: 

"We felicitate the freemen of this county in the 
result of the choice of our honorable representa- 
tive, Mr. John W. Taylor, as Speaker of the House 
of Representatives of the United States. This is 
not alone a triumph over the machinations of Van 
Buren and the Crawford party, but it is a trmmph 
of modest merit over a clan of political disorgan- 
izers, headed by the honorable Mr. Van Buren. 
Yes, freemen of Saratoga, the man of your choice 
has proved himself worthy of the high station of 
Speaker of the 19th Congress of the United States. 
And what better evidence of his standing can you 
require, than that of his receiving the support of 
such a constellation of talents as compose this 
isj. Congress. Mr. Taylor was elected on the second 
/■ ballot bv the following vote : For John W. Taylor, 
/ 99: John W. Campbell of Ohio, 42: Louis McLane, 
Delaware. 44; A. Stevenson, of Virginia, 5; scat- 
tering 5." 

In 1840 he was elected to the State Senate, 
which was then the highest court of appeal 
""^ in the State. In 1841 while preparing opin- 
ions in cases argued in that court, he was 
stricken with paralysis, permanently disabled, 
and resigned his senatorial office. He re- 
moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1843, making 
his home with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Wil- 



liam D. Beattie, his wife having died about 
five years previously. He died September 
18, 1854, aged seventy years, and his body 
was brought to Ballston Spa and buried by 
the side of his wife in the family lot, in the 
village cemetery. A plain white stone marks 
the grave, bearing this inscription : "John 
W. Tavlor. Born March 26, 1784: Died Sept. 
18, 1854." 

"Mr. Taylor was a gentleman of the old 
school, polite and courteous, an eloquent and 
forcible speaker, and delivered frequent ora- 
tions on literary and national topics. He was 
a National Republican and a Whig. In pri- 
vate life he was retiring, fond of cultivating 
his garden, and generous in distributing its 
fruits and flowers. He hated corruption in 
politics and spurned the use of money for 
political personal success, and his constit- 
uency always retained unwavering confidence 
in his sterling integrity." 

July 4, 1826, he delivered the oration at 
the celebration in this village of the fiftieth 
anniversary of American Independence. A 
member of the Phi Betta Kappa, he delivered 
before that society, at Harvard College, the 
commencement oration in 1827. He was a 
vestryman of Christ Church (Episcopalian) 
in this village, and was one of the founders 
of the Saratoga County Bible Society in 18 15. 
On the last visit of General Lafayette, of 
France, to the United States, in 1824. he ac- 
companied him through the New England 
states. 

Miss Taylor writes: 

"I never saw my grandfather, but I have a num- 
ber of letters in his ovi-n beautiful, clear handwriting. 
Perhaps the strongest impression that they give me 
is of the courtly dignity of the man ; but in his busi- 
ness letters I find always the most scrupulous re- 
gard for the rights and claims of others, — and in 
friendship, always the most grateful remembrance 
of kindnesses received. As an example I quote from 
a letter written in 1846. Referring to an old friend 
who was ill, he writes : 

'I pray for her speedy recovery. My recollections 
of her are associated with those days full of hope, 
when life was young. One incident among a thou- 
sand now occurs. Soon after marriage I went with 
my wife to Union College to deliver a Master's 
Oration and receive the degree of A.M. Carriages 
being all engaged we walked from Givens' Hotel 
after dinner to the church; a storm arose and 
flooded the streets; my wife was with thin kid slip- 
pers and silk gauze stockings, and before reaching 
the church they were well soaked. The prospect 
of sitting thus through the long exercises was any- 



240 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



thing but comfortable. I could not go out with 
her and neglect my part, but we were scarcely seated 
when Mrs. Foot, taking the stove from under her 
feet, drew my attention with a parasol, and reached 
the stove to me over intervening seats, which made 
my wife quite comfortable during the meeting. It 
was so considerate, self-denying and motherly that 
my wife remembered it to the last.' " This quaint 
picture of by-gone days in Schenectady is worthy 
of preservation. 

"My grandfather's letters to his wife are classics 
in their line, expressin<r romantic devotion in forms 



and usefulness. Cultivate, my sweet girl, habitual 
kindness in your intercourse with your brothers and 
sisters ; affectionate respect and confidence in your 
dear mother, and perfect truth in your communi- 
cations with everybody. Observe these rules and 
honor and happiness are sure to be yours. If I 
rightly remember you encouraged me to expect a 
letter from you during the present session. Pray 
don't disappoint me. 

From your affectionate father, 

John- W. Taylor." 
"Miss Malvina Tavlor." 



ft ^ 


,^*^*'V^'*^v ../ . 




^B ■■■^^^^•^^^■IK.I 


r^^H '-* WM 




■■i^^^ '/'■■ ■? 






5 ft- 


"'^y 




z= . iiiii ; »= ■ — 



RESIDENCE OF JOHN \V. TAYLOR. 
Now the Home of John Brown. 



as dejicate and stately as the minuet of their youth- 
ful days. A letter to his eleven year old daughter 
is an extreme example of his ceremonious manner, 
but shows also his characteristic attitude of defer- 
ence towards the fair sex: 

"Washington, March 9th, 1826. 
"Accept, dear Malvina, the congratulations of a 
parent who loves you, on the returning anniversary 
of your birth. Entering now into your twelfth 
year, the improvement of every week becomes more 
and more important to your future respectability 



"In social life everywhere he seems to have been 
distinguished for his brilliant and genial urbanity. 
My grandfather's eldest son, John W. Taylor, who 
died in New York five years ago, knew and re- 
membered more of the life in the Ballston home 
than any other member of the family, aijd in one of 
his letters to me I find this interesting bit : 

'Henry Clay was visiting my father at Ballston 
Spa when I was a lad, and I remember Mr. Clay's 
placing his hand on my shoulder, with the remark, 
'You don't know how popular your father was in 
Washington. Dolly Madison used to say there was 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



241 



always something wanting at a dinner or a party 
if Mr. Taylor was absent.' 

"Of Dolly Madison's friendship for my grand- 
father we have a most valuable token, preserved 
in a beautiful family heirloom. Dolly Madison gave 
to my grandfather a small piece of the cloth of 
silver of Lady Washington's wedding dress. This 
precious fabric my grandfather had mounted as a 
brooch encircled with pearls — and the silver fabric 
is crossed by a true-lover's knot of the hair of him- 
self and his wife, and was given by him to my 
grandmother. This pin was worn by my mother, 
Mrs. Oscar Taylor, in 1903, when she unveiled, in 
the presence of President Roosevelt a memorial stone 
erected by the Freeport Woman's Club, to mark 
the spot where the great Lincoln and Douglas de- 
bate took place in Freeport in 1858. So do lives 
long past into the Great Beyond reach down through 
the vista of years and link themselves with present 
events." 

Miss Taylor also sends a description of a 
dinner given by the British Minister in Wash- 
ington. It is a glimpse of official life in the 
nation's capital in early days, that is as in- 
teresting as it is rare. Mr. Taylor, then 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
writes tmder date of April 24, 1826: 

.\ DIPLOMATIC DINNER. 

"I attended a grand diplomatic dinner given by 
Mr. Vaughan in commemoration of the birth-day 
of His Britannic Majesty. The presiding officers 
of both Houses of Congress ; the heads of depart- 
ments and the Foreign Ministers with their secre- 
taries and attaches were their guests. The ministers 
with their suites were in court dresses, embroidered 
witli gold — all wore swords and carried chapeaux 
in their hands while waiting in the receiving room 
for an hour until dinner was announced. The pre- 
siding officers of the two houses led the way into 
the dining room, and were followed by the Min- 
isters according to their respective rank. After 
these came the secretaries of legation and the at- 
taches. I did not observe whether the heads of 
departments. Secretary of State, of War, of the 
Treasury, etc., preceded or followed the Ministers 
Plenipotentiary. The contrast to all the finery of 
the Diplomatic Corps exhibited in the plain citi- 
zens dress worn by Mr. Calhoun and myself, was 
heightened by the consideration that precedence in 
rank was assigned to us. Without insignia of no- 
bility or knighthood, without ribbands, stars or 
crosses, we occupied a station in advance of Barons, 
Counts and Chevaliers. The variety and exquisite 
flavor of the wines ; the delicacy of the almost end- 
less succession of dishes ; the ingenuity in the forms 
of their preparation : the superbly wrought and mas- 
sive plate ; the discipline of the numerous and well 
marshalled waiters and attendants, with their red 
velvet vests and small clothes, white stockings and 
large drab coats lined with silk, and powdered 
heads, all gave an appearance of stateliness to the 
ceremony calculated to produce considerable eflfect 



After the last course of dessert, bouquets were dis- 
tributed made up of hyacinths, tulips, wall flowers 
and cedar leaves. Having retired to the drawing 
room coffee was served, and afterwards liquor. I 
forgot to mention that the health of the King and 
President were drank standing, in champagne, be- 
tween the meats and the dessert. We were invited 
at S, sat down at 6, and retired at 9. We had green 
peas brought from Norfolk in Virginia." 

UNION SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

In the faithful discharge of his public 
duties; in responding to the frequent de- 
mands for addresses on public occasions, on 
a great variety of topics, and in the practice 
of his profession, Mr. Taylor led a busy life. 
He found time, however, to engage in re- 
ligious work. One of the organizers of the 
Saratoga County Bible Society in August, 
181 5, in October following he organized an 
auxiliary society in the town of Ballston, and 
was its first president. He also organized a 
large Union Sunday School in Ballston Spa, 
which met every Sunday afternoon in the 
Baptist Church, and of which he was the 
president, as well as the teacher of a large 
Bible class of adults. 

In the Museum in the High School build- 
ing, a record of this Sunday School, in the 
handwriting of Mr. Taylor, is preserved. 
The record reads : 

"Sunday School, June 11, 1820. — Directors until 
the annual meeting to be held on the last Monday 
in May, 1821, at seven o'clock p. M., at the Academy: 
Elder Langworthy, Elder Lee, Rev. Mr. Clark, (Mr. 
Clark was rector of Christ Church), John W. Tay- 
lor, Thomas Palmer, Oren Sage, Hezekiah Middle- 
brook, Jr., Am.os Allcott, George Lockwood, Aaron 
Nash, James Comstock, Epenetus White, Lyman B. 
Langworthy, Farquhar AfcBain, John Marchant, 
John W. Taylor, president; Amos Allcott, secretary. 

Mr. Cande, teacher — Eliza White, Caroline Allcott, 
Sarah Ann Wright, Eliza Ann Taylor, Camilla Dix. 

Miss Roe, teacher — Augusta Lee, Mary Jane 
Allcott, Almira Middlebrook, Mary Dix, Caroline 
Pitkin. 

Miss Nash, teacher — Mary Ann Burnet, Anna 
Maria Burtis, Roxa Matilda Nichols, Amanda Ban- 
nister, Elizabeth Jack. 

J. McMaster, teacher — Charlotte Simmons, Char- 
lotte Smith, Amanda Langworthy, Frances Barnum, 
Abba Clark. 

C. Dunning, teacher — Fidelia Dix, Hannah Bar- 
low, Jerusha Morehouse, Zilpha Palmer, Mary 
Clark, Lucy Bridges, Sally Maria Gilchrist, Emily 
Sage, Lucy Lee. 

J. Comstock, teacher — James H. Taylor, William 
W. Allcott. William Lee Roe, James Kidd. 

Robert Dunchie, teacher — William C. Barker, 



242 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Eliakim C. Barker, John Barlow, Rensselaer Peck- 
ham, Nelson Sage, Samuel T. Spears. 

Coloured Classes — V. Vanderhuyden, teacher — 
Nancy Aldridge, Cecilia Adkins, Jane White, Har- 
riet Barnum, Sarah Aldridge. 

James Grant, teacher — Rebecca Linet, Judah Li- 
net, Rebecca Linet, 2nd, Phebe Adkins, Charles 
Adkins. 

R. Dunning, teacher — James Kidd, Isaac Craig, 
John Lacy. 

There is also a separate record of a class 
taught by Mr. Taylor, which is evidently of 
an earlier date. The class had one hundred 
and thirty-four members. Among the num- 
ber were William McCrea, Miles Beach, 
Edward Watrous, Samuel Cook, Seth C. 
Baldwin, Epenetus White, James Merrill, 
Levi H. Palmer, James B. Aldridge and lady, 
Joel Lee and lady, David McMaster and 
lady, Moses Williams and lady, Reuben 
Westcot and lady. 

Mr. Taylor also made a record of the 
Presbyterian members of his class, Septem- 
ber 20, 1819: "Mrs. Marshall, George Lock- 
wood, Jacob Van Der Heyden, Mrs. Dix, Mrs. 
Kelly, Mrs. Williams, Miss Wendell, Aaron 
Nash, James Comstock, Mrs. Comstock, 
Reuben Sears, Mrs. Sears, Mrs. Freeman, 
Mrs. E. D. Smith, Mrs. Asa Allcott, Robert 
Dunshee, Joseph Eliot, Ulysses F. Double- 
day, J. Newton Cande, Czar Dunning, Miss 
Abigail Smith, Dirk L. Palmer, Mrs. Wen- 
dell, Mrs. S. Tobv, Mrs. Wetmore, 

Seeley." 

OBSEQUIES OF JOHN W. TAYLOR. 

The following account is from the Balls- 
ton Journal of September 20, 1854: 

"The news of the decease of Hon. John W. Tay- 
lor, was received with deep sorrow in this village, 
the place of his former residence, and which he 
always delighted to call 'his home.' His last re- 
quest was that his remains should be buried here; 
and the affection for the place in which he had re- 
ceived his many and gratifying political triumphs 
which this request exhibited, produced a deep feel- 
ing of honor and respect on the part of our citi- 
zens, and revived with all its former intensity the 
love of those of his associates who are still alive. 
The proceedings which are reported below, ex- 
press the deep and fervent feeling which pervaded 
all parties, and the speeches and resolutions are 
worthy the occasion — worthy alike of the honored 
dead and those who assembled to pay respect to a' 
neighbor whose friendship they had enjoyed, and a 
statesman whose position and talents had conferred 
honor on his constituents and prominence on his 
native county. 



"Upon the announcement that his remains would 
reach here on Wednesday noon, a public meeting 
was immediately called at the Court House, and 
a large number of citizens assembled to take part 
in the proceedings. Lebbeus Booth was chosen 
chairman, and Moses Williams, secretary. The 
chairman briefly alluded to the object of the meet- 
ing, and on motion, Wm. T. Ode!), Arnold Harris 
and John C. Booth were appointed a committee to 
report suitable resolutions. A committee consist- ■ 1 
ing of Abel Meeker, Geo. G. Scott, James W. Cul- ■ I 
ver, J. H. Spier and Moses Williams, was appointed 
to receive the remains in behalf of the citizens of 
the village. While the committee on resolutions 
was preparing its report. Judge Scott and -Abel 
Meeker addressed the assemblage. 

"George G. Scott remarked as follows : 'This 
is a solemn occasion. The mortal remains of an 
old and esteemed friend and neighbor are about 
to arrive amongst us from a distant State, on their 
way to yonder cemetery, where manj', if not all of 
us, before many years shall elapse, will follow. 

'The deceased, in his time, filled for many years 
a large space in the public eye. Among the many '/ . 
distinguished men of whom this county can boast, f 
there has not been one who has held such high 
ofiicial position, and whose name has been so widely 
and extensively known, as the individual whom we 
are now about to follow to his grave. 

"Mr. Taylor, as it is well known, was a native of 
Charlton, in this county. He graduated at Union 
College in 1803, with the highest honors of that 
institution. On leaving college, he entered upon 
the study of the law, and on his admission to the 
Bar, he commenced its practice in this immediate 
vicinity. Before he had an opportunity to distin- 
guish himself in his profession, to any considerable 
extent, he was sent from this county to the House 
of Assembly. This was about the year 1812 — an 
exciting period in both state and national politics. 
In December of that year he was elected a Repre- 
sentative in the Congress of the United States from 
this District, which was then composed of Saratoga, 
and two or three of our northern counties, and sub- 
sequently reduced to Saratoga alone. Soon after 
he had entered upon his parliamentary career, it 
was discovered that his talents were admirably fitted 
for that branch of the public service. Such was 
the stand that he took in the House of Rep- 
resentatives, that he was twice elected as the pre- 
siding officer of that body, the third in position in 
rank and dignity in the General Government, and 
through four sessions discharged the duties of that 
difficult and arduous station with signal ability 
and to the general satisfaction. For twenty con- \ 
secutive years he was continued by a confiding con- 
stituency a member of the House — a distinction, 
which, if I mistake not, has in no other instance 
been attained by a northern representative. At each 
successive election (with the exception of 1824) 
he encountered the most systematic, well organ- 
ized and powerful opposition : but he seemed to be i 
enthroned in the hearts of the people of his dis- * 
trict, and, as was said of him by a contemporary, 
'he was cheered when he flourished, and strength- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



243 



ened when he fainted, as scarce ever was man be- 
fore.' His commanding abilities and national rep- 
utation, no doubt, contributed essentially to his 
home popularity ; but the greatest secret of his 
success was a happy combination of rare social 
qualities, seldom found united in the same indi- 
vidual. It was difficult to resist the fascination of 
his polished manners, and the charm of his society 
and conversation. 

"It is a source of consolation to know that the 
strong and prevailing desire of the last years of his 
life is about to be accomplished ; that he will be 
laid by the side of the partner of his youth, and 
that his bones will repose so near his birth-place, 
at the home of his manhood, and 'among the peo- 
ple whom he loved so well.' " 

"Abel Meeker, Esq., also alluded in some appro- 
priate remarks to the many virtues of the deceased, 
and related some very affecting reminiscences of 
the private life of Mr. Taylor. 

"Col. Wm. T. Odell, chairman of the committee 
on resolutions, made the following remarks on the 
introduction of the subjoined resolutions: 

'Mr. Chairman — The committee appointed to draft 
resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting, 
on this solemn occasion, have discharged that duty, 
and are now ready to report. But before reading 
the report, permit me, as a member of the com- 
mittee, to speak for a moment of the veteran states- 
man, the news of whose death has called us to- 
gether. Brought up within a short distance of the 
residence of the father of the deceased statesman, 
whom I well remember, my earliest recollections 
'' of a public man is of John W. Taylor. His polished 
\ and affable manners excited my admiration. Perhaps 
no man in this country understood so well the rules 
that govern public assemblies, whether deliberative 
or popular, and no one presided with greater dig- 
nity. Long Speaker of the House of Representa- 
tives ; and after he was succeeded by another gen- 
tleman, it is said that no appeal was ever taken from 
the decision of his successor, without first offering 
to submit the point to Mr. Taylor. There his word 
was law. 

'Few young men (with whom he was acquainted) 
studying for the profession to which he belonged, 
will ever forget his salutary advice. He must have 
been thoroughly acquainted with history, for his 
constant advice to young men was to study well the 
history of their own and their mother country. In 
his death one more of the statesmen of an age that 
is nearly passed, has gone to his long home, where 
political strife and party contests shall no more 
disturb his rest.' 

"The following are the resolutions reported and 
unanimously adopted : 

'Whereas, We have learned with grief of the 
death of our late distinguished fellow citizen, the 
Hon. John W. Taylor, and being desirous of testi- 
fying our respect for his character as a citizen, a 
man of noble and generous nature, a lawyer of em- 
inent ability, and a statesman who in his long and 
distinguished career in both the State and National 
councils, exhibited in the highest degree his intelli- 
gent and disinterested patriotism, and his untiring 



devotion to the interests and prosperity of his 
countrj', 

'Resolved, That while bowing in humble submis- 
sion to this dispensation of an All-wise Providence, 
we look back upon the life of the great and good 
man who has gone to his rest with a worthy pride 
in the memory he has left behind him : That from 
his first entrance into public life as the representa- 
tive of this, his native county, in the State Legisla- 
ture in 1812, and during his distinguished career, 
extended from 1814 to 1834 as our representative 
in Congress, in which he stood side by side with 
Clay, Webster, Calhoun and other worthies in the 
laudable rivalry of patriotic services, and was chosen 
to succeed the former great statesman as presiding 
officer of the House of Representatives, we find no 
stain upon the record to mar the symmetry of a 
reputation founded upon abilities of the Highest 
order and a patriotism of the purest integrity. 

'Resolved, That his memory has been kept ever 
green in our hearts since his departure from our 
midst years ago on account of his declining health, 
and as a citizen, neighbor and friend we ever have, 
and ever shall cherish the liveliest recollection of 
his many virtues: That in his earnest desire to be 
brought back and buried among us, with whom he 
had so often sympathized in distress and rejoiced 
in prosperity, we recognize the warm-hearted affec- 
tion he ever bore for us and ours. 

'Resolved, That we tender our warmest sympathy 
and condolence to his afflicted family and relatives 
in their great loss, and recognizing therein the 
hand of Him 'who doeth all things well,' we are 
comforted by the assurance his well spent life af- 
forded that he was not found unprepared for his 
end, but went down into the 'dark valley of the 
Shadow of Death' full of years and honors, and sus- 
tained by a firm and unwavering faith in the 
promises of the gospel. 

■Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of this 
meeting be sent to his family, and that they be pub- 
lished in the papers in this county and those of the 
city of Albany. L. Booth, Chairman; Moses Wil- 
liams, Secretary.' " 

The Ballston Journal, Albert A. Moor, 
editor, said editorially: 

"Hon. John W. Taylor died in Cleveland, Ohio, 
on the 17th inst., aged 70 years. It will be recol- 
lected that he was a native of this county and a 
resident of this village until 1843, when he removed 
to the State of Ohio to spend the remainder of his 
days with his son-in-law, Mr. Beattie. 

"He had manifested great anxiety that his body 
should be interred in the cemetery of Ballston Spa, 
among his old neighbors and friends, who had al- 
ways been dear to him. Previous to his death he 
had written to his valued friend. Lebbeus Booth, re- 
questing that his funeral might be attended from his 
house ; and in accordance with his wishes funeral 
ceremonies were observed on Thursday, the 21st 
inst., at the Episcopal Church, by a large concourse 
of old citizens and friends, whose memories called 
forth many important events of his life, and dwelt 
with pleasure on his many virtues. 



244 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



"He was undoubtedly the most popular man we 
ever had in this county, was chosen a Republican 
member of the Legislature in 1811, and was the 
ablest debater that party had in the Assembly. He 
was elected to Congress in 1813, and represented 
this District for twenty successive years. He was 
chosen Speaker twice from among such men as 
Randolph Lowndes, Sargent, Archer, Barbour, Floyd, 
McLane, Mercer, Cobb, Gilmer, etc., a list of 
great names never surpassed by any deliberative 
body. He supported the administrations of Madison, 
Monroe and Adams, and became a firm supporter 
of Mr. Clay instead of General Jackson. He was 
a warm advocate of the Missouri Compromise, and 
his speech upon that question was able and fear- 
less, and was widely circulated. 

"He was influential in bringing forward his old 
friend. Gen. Harrison as a candidate for the Pres- 
idency, and was elected to the Senate of this State 
in the fall of 1840. During the session of '40 and 
'41 he was attacked with paralysis, from which he 
never entirely recovered. While he was a Mem- 
ber of Congress, Mr. Taylor was distinguished 
for soundness of judgment, cautious forecast, and 
as an able debater. He was eminently useful to 
the people of his District in procuring pensions for 
war-worn veterans, and although these duties were 
promptly discharged, they were always gratuitous." 

"He was also remarkable for his social qualities. 
Affable, generous and polite, he was the delight of 
his friends. His hospitalities were cheerful and 
earnest, and no friend left him without a higher 
estimation of his worth and happier for his visit. 
His sympathies and liberalities reached the poor, 
and they have been heard often to bless his name. 

"The State of New York may have regarded 
him as her most distinguished Representative in 
Congress ; but Saratoga county claimed him as 
her son." 



JAMES M. COOK. 

James M. Cook was born in Ballston Spa 
in 1807, the year in which the village was 
incorporated. His fatlier was Judge Samuel 
Cook, who was a Master in Chancery in 1801 ; 
E.xaminer in Chancery in 1823 ; and one of 
the Judges of the Court of Coinmon Pleas in 
1820. 

Following in the footsteps of his father, 
James M. Cook took up the study of the law 
and was admitted to the Bar. He was one 
of the organizers of the Ballston Spa Bank- 
in 1838, and became its first president, serv- 
ing in that capacity until 1856, when he de- 
clined a re-election, having received the ap- 
pointment of Superintendent of the State 
Banking Department. About 1845 he pur- 
chased the cotton mill on the island, now the 



Island Paper Mill. His brother, Samuel H. 
Cook, a year or two previous had purchased 
the cotton factory a short distance to the 
west, and the brothers became business part- 
ners, and manufactured on an extensive scale 
patent seamless cotton sacks. The busi- 
ness was continued until the fall of 1862, 
when the scarcity of cotton, due to the civil 
war, compelled the mills to close. 

Not only among the prominent men of 
Saratoga county, but also of the State, Mr. 




JAME.S M. COOK. 

Cook Stood conspicious for more than a 
quarter of a century. As a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1846 he took 
a position as among the clearest thinkers, 
readiest speakers, and ablest debaters in that 
renowned assemblage of the "collected wis- 
dom of the State." In 1847 he was elected, 
and in 1849 re-elected State Senator from 
the Thirteenth District, comprising Saratoga 
and Washington counties. For four years 
in succession he maintained a distinguished 
position in that body, and was recognized as 
one of the leaders of his party, judicious ii: 
counsel, firm in resistance, fearless in attack. 
In 1 85 1 he was declared elected State Treas- 
urer. The election was contested bv Ben- 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



245 



jamin Welcli, Jr., and decided in his favor, 
Mr. Cook holding the office from January i, 
1852 to November 2 of the same year. He 
Vk'as elected State Comptroller in 1853, and 
sensed for the years 1854-55. In this office 
he displayed financial abilities of a marked 
character, and in January, 1856, he was ap- 
pointed Superintendent of the Banking De- 
partment, which office he continued to hold 
until April 16, 1861, when he resigned, hav- 
ing filled it with signal credit to himself, and 
entire satisfaction to the moneyed corpora- 
tions whose interests were concerned and 
afifected by jiis administration. 

In 1842 the number of village trustees was 
increased from three to five, and for the first 
time a village president was chosen. Mr. 
Cook was elected Trustee, and his associates 
in the Board chose him President. He con- 
tinued to hold the office of Village President 
and Trustee during the years 1843-44-45. 
He was also Supervisor of the town of Mil- 
ton in 1838, 1844 and 1845, and was Chair- 
man of the Board the two latter years. 

In 1863, during the stirring days of the 
civil war, Mr. Cook was again elected to the 
State Senate, from the Fifteenth District, at 
this time comprising the counties of Saratoga, 
Montgomery, Fulton and Planiilton. This 
was the last of his public life, and the last of 
his political ambition. He had been promi- 
nently mentioned for Governor, but never 
allowed his name to go before a nominating 
convention. He began his political life as a 
Democrat, became a Whig, and was one of 
the organizers of the Republican party, with 
which he was identified the remainder of his 
life. 

The War of the Rebellion roused his 
patriotism to an absorbing passion. He was 
self-assured and confident of final success 
during all the checkered fortunes that befel 
the Union Arms. To the enlistment and or- 
ganization of troops he gave both time and 
money. No man was more bitterly opposed 
to secession than he ; no man was firmer in 
purpose to uphold the national government ; 
no man more willing to make liberal sur- 
render of time and influence and money to 
the sacred cause of his country, and no man 
more exultant when final victory perched 
upon the banners of the Union Armies. 

In private life Mr. Cook was a courtly 



gentleman, suave in manner, and a most en- 
tertaining conversationalist. A man of cul- 
ture, fully informed on all matters of im- 
portance pertaining to the times in which he 
lived, he stood high in the public esteem, and 
was greatly respected wherever he was 
known. 

He removed to Saratoga Springs in 1866, 
where he died April 12, 1868, aged sixty-one 
years. The funeral was attended at the Pres- 
byterian Church, of which he was a member. 
At the close of the church service, charge 
was taken by Washington Commandery of 
Knights Templar, and by special train the 
remains were brought to this village, where, 
with the solemn ritual of the Masonic fra- 
ternity they were entombed in the family 
vault in the village cemetery, and dust re- 
turned to dust in the town in which he was 
born. A tall granite obelisk marks the rest- 
ing place of one of Ballston's illustrious sons. 



ISAIAH BLOOD. 

Isaiah Blood was born in the town of Balls- 
ton, February 13, 1810. His father, Sylvester 
Blood, was a farmer and also a scythe maker, 
having a shop on the Mourning Kill, about 
two miles south of the village. At his father's 
forge, Isaiah Blood laid the foundation of his 
future wealth and prominence. He was a 
man of remarkable energy, and whatever he 
did was well done. His scythes and axes 
had no superiors in quality, and he had an 
established reputation before he set up busi- 
ness for himself. He began on a small scale, 
and enlarged his works as the business grew, 
until in a few years he had in his employ 
hundreds of skilled workmen, and his man- 
ufactures were in demand throughout the 
United States, and in Mexico and South 
America. And to-day, in the great lumber 
camps of the Northwest, the sturdy woods- 
man is not content unless his axe bears the 
stamp "I. Blood." 

Mr. Blood was a staunch Democrat of the 
old school, and his personal popularity often 
made him the candidate of his party. He was 
the Supervisor of the town of Milton in 1847, 
1859 and 1869. In 1851 he was elected Mem- 
ber of Assembly from the First Assembly 
District. In 1859 he was elected State Sen- 



246 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



ator, and was again elected to that position 
in 1869. He died before the expiration of 
his term, at his home in "Bloodville," on 
the 29th of November, 1870, in his sixty- 
first year. 

He was stricken with typhoid fever, and 
when he became aware that his end was ap- 
proaching, he requested that every one of his 
employees should be allowed to visit him at his 
bedside, as he wished to bid them all a final 
farewell on earth. Each and all silently ap- 
proached the couch of the dying man, who 




ISAIAH BLOOD. 

had been to them nut only an employer but 
a true friend and counsellor, and pressed his 
hand as it lay upon the covering of the bed — 
the Senator being too weak and feeble to ex- 
tend it to those who approached. The scene 
was most impressive, and many a stout heart 
was moved to tears at this silent but touch- 
ing evidence of the warm affection that ex- 
isted between the stricken employer and his 
bereaved workmen. 

The funeral was one of the largest ever 
known in Ballston Spa. Business was sus- 
pended in the village, and stores and houses 
were draped in mourning. A special train 
from Albany brought a large number of per- 
sonal and political friends, members of the 



Legislature and State Officials. The funeral 
procession was led by more than two hundred 
men employed in the works of the deceased, 
followed by one hundred carriages, and a 
large concourse of citizens, the burial being 
in the family lot in the village cemetery. 

As an evidence of their affection and es- 
teem the employees of the axe and scythe 
works adopted a series of resolutions, among 
them the following: 

"Resolved, That as an employer, his char- 
acter for the management of his business and 
the direction of his numerous employees, 
although remarkable for energy, was ever 
kind and considerate, and that his association 
with us at all times was preeminently remark- 
able for simplicity and affability." 

Isaiah Blood was a man of large public 
spirit, and no one ever did more to promote 
the business interests and industrial pursuits 
of the village, just outside of whose limits 
he had made for himself one of the most 
charming homes in Saratoga county. He 
was a loyal supporter of the Union in the 
War of the Rebellion. Governor Edwin D. 
Morgan appointed him a member of the War 
Committee of Saratoga county, to enlist re- 
cruits for the army, and he gave much valu- 
able time and with a liberal hand from his 
purse to maintain the patriotism of old 
Saratoga. 

His grandson, William H. Knickerbacker, 
now resides in the fine "old homestead man- 
sion," in that part of the town which will 
alwavs be known as "Bloodville." 



GEORGE G. SCOTT. 

George Gordon Scott was born at the 
family homestead on the "Middle line" road, 
in the town of Ballston, on the nth of May, 
181 1. His grandfather, George Scott, set- 
tled on this farm in 1774, and was one of the 
pioneers in the great northern wilderness. 
His wife was a sister of General James 
Gordon. In the tory and Indian raid led by 
Munro in 1780, when General Gordon and 
almost every settler -on the "Middle line" 
was captured and taken to Canada, the dwell- 
ing of Mr. Scott was attacked, and he was 
stricken down with a tomahawk and left for 
dead. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



247 



James Scott, his only son, was born Jan- 
uary 31, 1774. He was a noted surveyor, and 
always resided in the town of his birth, and 
died in 1857. His wife was Mary Botsford, 
a native of Derby, Connecticut, who died the 
same year. 

The subject of this sketch, who came to be 
universally known as "Judge Scott," was the 
only child of James and Mary Scott. Enter- 
ing Union College, lie graduated at the early 




GEORGE G. SCOTT. 

age of twenty, and immediately began the 
study of law in the office of Palmer and Good- 
rich, at Ballston Spa. He was admitted to 
the Bar in 1834, and for fifty years continued 
in the active practice of his profession in this 
village. 

In 1838 he was appointed by Governor 
Marcy a judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas, and at the time of his death was the 
sole survivor of the old Common Pleas bench 
in this county. He was Member of Assembly 
in 1856, and was re-elected in 1857, and in 
that year was elected to the State Senate from 
the 15th District. He declined a re-election, 
and was succeeded by Hon. Isaiah Blood. 
In i860 he removed from the Milton part of 
Ballston Spa to the south side of High street, 
in his native town. The following year he 
was elected Supervisor of Ballston, and held 



the office continuously for twenty-one years, 
and after this long period of faithful service, 
was compelled to decline a renomination in 
most positive terms, in order to obtain a well- 
earned release from the cares and duties of 
the office. 

At the celebration of the Centennial of 
American Independence in Ballston Spa, 
July 4, 1876, at the rec^uest of the county 
officials Judge Scott delivered an historical 
address relating to Saratoga county, speak- 
ing to the assembled thousands from a plat- 
form in the yard of the Sans Souci, and in 
1877 he had the distinguished honor of pre- 
siding at Bemis Heights, on the occasion of 
the Centennial of that decisive battle of the 
Rfevolution. 

Possessed of a very retentive memory, and 
from his youth a close student of history, 
he was probably more familiar with local 
history than any other man of his time, and 
for more than half a century was an ac- 
knowledged authority on all matters of his- 
toric interest connected with the village and 
county. 

He married Lucy, a daughter of Joel Lee, 
of Ballston Spa. Judge Scott was eminently 
successful in the practice of his profession, 
which he continued until about two years 
before his death, when failing health com- 
pelled him to retire from active practice. He 
died September 7, 1886, in his seventy-sixth 
year. 

His son, Hon. James Lee Scott, succeeded 
to the law practice of his father, and a few 
years since was appointed United States Com- 
missioner in Bankruptcy for this District. 
He now resides in Saratoga Springs. 



JAMES W. HORTON. 

Among the many honored names in the 
history of Ballston Spa, none is held in 
greater esteem or more loving remembrance 
than the name of the subject of this brief 
memoir. More widely known throughout 
Saratoga county than any other man of his 
time, his name is written large across the 
page of local history, and his memory shall 
endure. 

James Watson Horton was born in the town 
of Ballston, at Academy Hill, September 29, 



248 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



1810. He was a son of Ezekiel and Clarissa 
(Watson) Horton. His father was a native 
of Hebron, Connecticut, and settled in Balls- 
ton about 1795. His mother was a daughter 
of Captain Titus Watson, of the Revolu- 
tionary W'ar, and was born in the town of 
Ballston in 1780. 

Mr. Horton was educated in the common 
schools and at the "Ballston Academy." In 
1829, at the age of nineteen he came to reside 
in Ballston Spa, and engaged in mercantile 




J.\.MES W. HORTO.X. 

pursuits. He was first married, in 1836, to 
Abba Clark, of Ballston Spa, who died in 
1850. His second wife was Julia E. Betts, 
of Troy, to whom he was united in marriage 
January 14, 1852. The children by the first 
marriage were James C, Stephen S., William 
B., and Clara V., widow of the late George 
C. Beecher. There were two daughters by the 
second marriage, Jennie, who died October 
10, 1904, and Annie Watson Horton, now 
Mrs. Aldrich. Mrs. Beecher and Mrs. Al- 
drich reside in Ballston Spa, and are the sole 
survivors of the family. 

When President Lincoln issued the call for 
volunteers in 1861, Stephen S. Horton, en- 
listed in the Seventy-seventh New York 
Volunteers, and soon rose to the rank of 



Captain of Company B, a Ballston conTpanw 
He was twice wounded, the last time very 
severely, at the battle of Antietam. After 
the war he made his home in Georgetown, 
Colorado, where he entered upon the practice 
of the law, having been admitted to the Bar 
just previous to the breaking out of the civil 
war. He died several years ago. 

William B. Horton, enlisted in the Forty- 
fourth New York Volunteers. He was 
wounded at the battle of Groveton, Va., Sep- 
tember 14, 1861, and died of his wound in the 
hospital in Washington, D. C, aged twenty 
years. 

James C. Horton, the eldest of the family, 
removed to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1859, and 
during the civil war was one of the defenders 
of the town against the rebel guerilla Quan- 
trell. Soon after the close of the war, he 
removed to Kansas City, where he established 
a wholesale drug business, in which he con- 
tinued until his death in May of the present 
year. He served as County Clerk in Kan- 
sas and also as State Senator, and declined a 
nomination for Governor. 

In 1840, under General Harrison's admin- 
istration, James W. Horton was appointed 
Postmaster of Ballston Spa. In 1845 he was 
elected clerk of Saratoga county, and held 
the office continuously for nearly thirty-nine 
years. He was serving the last year of his 
thirteenth term at the time of his death, 
which occurred at his home February 13, 1885. 

In politics he was a Whig, and maintained 
his alliance with that party until its dissolu- 
tion in 1852. He identified himself with the 
Republican party on its organization in 1854, 
and for the rest of his life was an earnest 
supporter of the principles of that party. His 
confidence in the ultimate success of the 
North in the war of the Rebellion never 
wavered. \Mien one of his brave boys 
was laid in a soldier's grave in the vil- 
lage cemetery, though overcome with grief, 
he said : "Will died a noble death, in 
a righteous cause, and his death, with the 
thousands of other brave boys in blue who 
have fallen, will not be in vain." His whole 
political life was a fine illustration of the 
sentiment that "he who serves his country 
best serves his party best. " 

Mr. Horton was a member of Christ 
Qiurch. f Episcopal.) and for fifty years a 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



249 



vestryman, and for twenty-eight years the 
Senior Warden of the church. He was a true 
friend to the poor, and many were the re- 
cipients of his charity. At his funeral, his 
pastor, the Rev. Charles Pelletreau, spoke 
from these peculiarly appropriate words: 
"Mark the perfect man, and behold the up- 
right, for the end of that man is peace." 
How appropriate the text was is shown by 
the last words of Mr. Horton. A short time 
before he died, he said to a friend: "I know 
you all ; my head is clear, my heart is right." 

In announcing the death of Mr. Horton, 
the Ballston Journal said : ''The shadow of 
a great sorrow fell upon Ballston on Friday 
morning, when it was known that James W. 
Horton had exchanged his citizenship here 
for a citizenship in the 'heavenly places.' His 
useful, unselfish, honorable life, is an ex- 
ample which all may emulate with advantage 
to themselves and to society." 

In the County Court, of which he had been 
clerk for almost forty years, a memorial 
service was held, addresses being made by 
several prominent members of the Saratoga 
County Bar. One of the speakers, an inti- 
mate friend for many years, said : "A 
manly man ; an honest man — the noblest work 
of God. Ballston's honor ; the country's pride ; 
the idol of his family : the admiration of his 
friends ; the poor man's generous benefactor : 
the church's strong supporter and devoted 
member. Forever let his name be honored, 
and his memory cherished." 

In the village cemetery a plain white stone 
marks his grave. In the chancel of Christ 
Church, which he served faithfully for so 
many years, a beautiful triple window is a 
fitting memorial to "Ballston's best loved 
citizen." 



GEORGE WEST. 

A name that will always be associated with 
the business development of Ballston Spa, 
as the founder of the largest manufacturing 
industry, not only in Ballston Spa, but also 
in Saratoga county, is that of Hon. George 
West. He was born in Bradninch. England, 
on the 17th of February, 1823. He received 
a good common-school education, and early 
in life learned very thoroughly the making of 
paper in all its branches. In February, 1849. 



when he had reached his twenty-sixth year, 
he came with his young wife to this country. 
He was employed in New Jersey about one 
year, when he secured employment in a large 
paper mill in Massachusetts. He soon be- 
came manager of the mill, and two or three 
years later a partner in the business. In 1861 
he removed to Ballston Spa, and took the 
position of superintendent of one of the large 
paper mills at Rock City Falls. 




GEORGE WEST. 

Not very long after the civil war began in 
1861, Southern cotton became very scarce, 
and our cotton factories, and the cotton bag 
mills, experienced great difficulty in procur- 
ing the staple article demanded in their busi- 
ness, and the bag mills of the Cook's were 
compelled to close. Some of the paper mills 
along the Kayaderosseras also suspended op- 
erations. The demand for flour sacks soon 
became very great, and in the emergency Mr. 
West saw a splendid business opportunity. 
Leasing an idle paper mill he announced that 



250 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



he would make bags of paper. It was 
doubted that he could make a bag strong 
enough to carry fifty pounds of flour. But 
he soon demonstrated that it could be done. 
He began the manufacture of manilla paper, 
and employed Martin V. B. White, an in- 
genious mechanic, to construct the patterns, 
and to make by hand the first lot of flour 
sacks. They were manufactured in the old 
Union store, in the north-end of the village, 
which was vacant at the time. The paper 
bags were all that Mr. West claimed for them, 
and orders from all parts of the state began 
to pour in upon him. He erected a bag mill 
adjoining his paper mill at Rock City Falls, 
and here, with the slow process of making 
the bags by hand, was laid the foundation of 
his, enormous business and his princely 
fortune. 

In 1862 Mr. West purchased the Empire 
Mill at Rock City Falls, which he had been 
operating under a lease. In 1866 he built the 
Excelsior Mill at Rock City Falls, and from 
time to time, as his rapidly increasing busi- 
ness demanded, he purchased or built several 
other mills along the stream. 

The death of Jonas Hovey in 1875 brought 
his four cotton factories, his fine mansion on 
Milton avenue, and a large number of tene- 
ment houses into the market, and in August 
of that year Mr. West purchased the entire 
property. He converted one of the factories 
on the island into a paper mill, and the other 
into a bag mill, and a few years later, when 
the cotton factory on Milton avenue was de- 
stroyed by fire, he erected in its place the large 
Union Mill, establishing his bag factory in 
the woolen mill adjoining on the west. About 
1880 he purchased the paper mill at Hadley, 
on the Hudson river, and at once began the 
erection of a very large mill. It was rapidly 
pushed to completion, and when the machin- 
erv started, Mr. West owned and operated 
nine paper mills, a pulp mill, and two bag 
mills, manufacturing nothing but manilla 
paper and paper bags. He was the largest 
manufacturer in this line in the world. 

After Mr. West had been making bags 
for several months by the slow hand pro- 
cess, one day a man of rather ordinary 
appearance called at his office in Rock City 
Falls and said to him that a machine could 
be constructed to do the work with much 
greater rapidity. Mr. West at once entered 



into a contract with his visitor to build a 
machine in his mill, and within a few weeks 
the machine was in successful operation. The 
mechanical principles of this first bag-machine 
were identical with those of the wonderful 
machines of the present day. Mr. West was 
the pioneer in the manufacture of paper bags, 
one of the largest industries in the world to- 
day. 

In politics George West was an ardent Re- 
publican, and in the fall of 1871 he was 
elected Member of Assembly from the First 
District, and was re-elected in 1872-73-74-75. 
In 1 881 he was' elected Representative in 
Congress and served two terms. He was 
again elected in 1887. Having given largely 
of his time for eleven years to the public ser- 
vice, he declined a re-nomination to Congress, 
but his zeal for party success never flagged, 
and he was always to be found in the front 
rank fighting valiantly for the principles of 
the Republican party. 

Mr. West was a member of the Methodist 
Church, and his liberality enabled that society 
in 1892 to erect the present fine church edi- 
fice. One-half of the cost was Mr. West's 
contribution, besides the gift of the organ, and 
other fixtures. He was also a princely giver 
to the Round Lake Association, the fine mu- 
seum building at this beautiful resort, cost- 
ing $20,000, being his gift, and also a sub- 
scription of $25,000 to the endowment fund 
at that institution. He was always ready to 
give of his time and his money to promote 
the interests of the village, or of any worthy 
cause. 

Mr. West associated with himself in the 
business his son, George West, Jr., and his 
son-in-law, Douglas W. Mabee. In the year 
1899 the immense business was sold to the 
Union Bag and Paper Company, and Mr. 
West retired from active business. He died 
at his home on Milton avenue, September 
20, 1901, in his seventy-ninth year. 



DR. LEVERETT MOORE. 

Leverett Moore was born at Palmer, Mass., 
December 9, 1805, and was in every respect 
a self-made man. Left an orphan at the age 
of seven years, he worked his way unaided 
to the exceptionally high position he reached 
in his profession and in society. He worked 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY Of BALLSTON SPA 



251 



his way through a classical school at Gran- 
ville, Mass., and the medical college at Pitts- 
field, from which he graduated in 1829. He 
settled in Ballston Spa in 1840, succeeding 
to the large practice of Dr. Samuel Freeman, 
who retired from practice and removed to 
Saratoga Springs. Besides his practice as a 
physician, and attention to his duties as a 
member of the Saratoga County Medical As- 
sociation and of the Union Medical Associa- 
tion of Washington, Warren and Saratoga 
counties, Dr. Moore became interested in 




• DR. LEVERETT MOORE. 

manufacturing, and was for several years a 
member of the firm of Wakcman, Wait & Co., 
oil-cloth manufacturers. He was a director 
for many years of the Ballston Spa Bank, 
and was also a village trustee. Although he 
retired from active practice at the age of 
seventy-one years, yet his patrons almost 
compelled him to care for them in times of 
sickness for many years. He lived to the 
ripe old age of nearly eighty-seven years to 
enjoy the large competency he had acquired. 
His death occurred July 13. 1892. 



HENRY L. GROSE. 

Henry Lawrence Grose was born in Islm- 
den, Montgomery county, N. Y., September 
26, 1816. His early education he received 
from his father, who was a graduate of 
Columbia College. New York, and in every 



way qualified to impart instruction in the 
usual academic course, paying particular at- 
tention to Latin and Greek. 

He fitted himself for the medical profession 
in the ofiice of Drs. Webster and Snyder, of 
Fort Plain, two of the most eminent physi- 
cians of Montgomery county, as was the cus- 
tom for students in those days. 

He began the practice of medicine at 
Owego, Tioga county, N. Y., in 1836, and 
through many changes and other professional 
duties, he always continued his medical prac- 
tice together with other callings. 

While at Owego he was induced to study 
for the ministry, and he took a theological 
course at Oneida Institute, Utica, N. Y., 
where he graduated in 1840, and was after- 
wards made an honorary member of the 
Alumni Association of Madison University 
at Hamilton, Madison county, N. Y. 

For twenty years his whole time was de- 
voted to the gospel ministry of the Baptist 
denomination. His pastorates during this 
period were at Dapby and Ithaca, Tompkins 
county; Coxsackie and Athens, Greene coun- 
ty; North East, Dutchess county; Galway, 
Saratoga county, and Mannsville, Jefferson 
county. 

April I, i860, he purchased the Ballston 
JournaT, and assumed the editorial chair, 
which he occupied until his death, nearly forty 
vears later. Mr. Grose did not withdraw 
from the ministry, but for twenty years 
longer, until 1880, much of his time was given 
to the profession which always maintained a 
strong hold upon his affections. Besides his 
editorial duties he found time to serve as 
pastor the churches at Milton and Middle 
Grove, and was for five years pastor of the 
Baptist Church at Hydeville, Vt., removing 
with his family to that place, and returning 
to Ballston Spa at the close of his pastorate. 
He also supplied the pulpit at Burnt Hills 
for several months on two occasions when 
the church was without a pastor, and also 
for nearly a year the Baptist Church at 
Saugerties, N. Y. He was appointed School 
Commissioner in 1874, and was elected to the 
office in 1875. 

Soon after taking charge of the Journal 
Mr. Grose began studying for the legal pro- 
fession, but did not apply for admission to 
the bar until January, 1880, when he received 



252 



CENTEXNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



a diploma authorizing him to practice in the 
highest courts of the state. 

Mr. Grose was a tireless student throughout 
his long life. He was thorough in everything 
he undertook, and often said, "Nothing is 
worth doing that is not done well." His 
standard of excellence was high, and it is a 
delight to-day to read anything he ever wrote. 
The matter is so well chosen, the diction so 




RL', . 11. L. (jKOSE. 

clear and concise that they have a solid sub- 
stantiality that will endure. Air. Grose's 
many sidcdness cannot better be described 
than in the following lines of Cooper's, nor 
is the picture, as applieil to him, at all over- 
drawn : 

"I have seen a veteran warrior in the Christian field, 
Who never saw the sword he could not wield ; 
Grave without dullness, learned without pride. 
Exact, yet not precise, though meek, keen eyed ; 
A man that would have foiled at their own play, 
A dozen would-be's of the modern day; 
Who, when occasion justified its use, 
Had art as bright, as ready to produce ; 
Could fetch the records of an earlier age. 
Or from philosophy's enlightened page 
His rich materials, and regale your ear 
With strains it was a privilege to hear: 
Yet, above all, his lu.xury supreme, 
And his chief glory was the gospel theme : 
There he was copious as old Greece or Rome, 



His happy eloquence seemed there at home — 

Ambitious not to shine, or to e.xcel. 

But, to treat justly what he loved so well." 

His remarkably active life continued un- 
til within ten days of his death. With the 
same calm and trustful spirit in which he 
lived he at last met the Great Conqueror. 
Unflinchingly he yielded up his spirit, and 
sweetly, without a murmur, he sank to rest 
the evening of September 7, 1898. 

"Death but leads him on, 
His test work done, his guerdon won. 
To greater action and a nobler sphere." 



James Comstock, the pioneer editor of 
Ballston Spa, was born in Adams, Mass. He 
came to Rallston in 1803, and in 181 1 pur- 
chased The Independent American, then 
published at Court House Hill, and removed 
the establishment to Ballston Spa. He was 
a Whig in politics, and as editor of a village 
paper for thirty-five years, advocated the 
policies and principles of that party. He was 
a man of strong individuality, a vigorous 
writer, and one of the leading men of the com- 
munity. He was appointed postmaster in 
1849. He died July 26, 1851. aged about 
seventy years. 

Arnold H.\rris was burn in the town of 
Ballston February 22. 1808, He came to 
Ballston Spa in 1827; was a clerk seven 
years ; in 1834 entered the hardware business 
with James H. Spier, the firm being Spier & 
Harris; in 1839 his brother bought out Mr. 
Spier, and the firm name was A. & W. Har- 
ris until 1842, when he purchased the inter- 
est of his brother and conducted the business 
alone until T8S2, when his head clerk, Fred 
.\rmer, was taken into partnership, the firm 
name being F. Armer, and so continued until 
1889, when Mr. Armer became his successor. 

Mr. Harris was a man of mark ; an active 
politician of the Whig party, and as such was 
three times elected county treasurer, serving 
in that capacity nine years, 1844-3-6, and 
1850-55, He was an adherent of the Re- 
publican party from its organization, a man 
of positive convictions and keen political fore- 
sight. He was for forty years a director, and 
thirty-five years vice-president of the Balls- 
ton Spa National Bank. He died January 
15, 1891, respected and honored by all who 
knew him. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



253 



Jonathan S. Beach was born in Charlton 
in 1797, and while a boy came to Ballston 
Spa to reside. At the time of his death he 
was one of the oldest citizens, and in his 
earlier years did much to build up the man- 
ufacturing and other interests of the village. 
He was also engaged on many of the public 
works of the State. For several years he was 
associated in business enterprises with Harvey 
Chapman, during which time they constructed 
the first railroads in the State from Albany 
to Schenectady, and from Schenectady to Sar- 
atoga. He became a member of the Presby- 
terian Church in early life, and was a con- 
stituent member of the First Presbyterian 
Church in Ballston Spa. He died October 
31, 1877, aged eighty years. 

Wheeler K. Booth was born in the town 
of Galway May 23, 1806. He was a promi- 
nent resident of this village for more than 
fifty years, and was one of our most successful 
merchants. He was a member of Christ 
Church from his early manhood; for forty 
years a member of the vestry, and for twenty 
years, its junior warden. Andrew S. Booth, 
president of the Ballston Spa National Bank, 
is a son of Wheeler K. Booth. He died June 
2, 1877, aged seventy-one years. 



In an obituary notice were the following 
words: "It will be long before the kindly 
face and manner, the simple and honest char- 
acter, the good and true man that has passed 
away, will be forgotten." 



James Otis Leach was born in Taunton, 
Mass., in January, 1811. He came to Balls- 
ton Spa in 1842, and for some years acted as 
superintendent in the cotton mills of James 
M. and Samuel H. Cook. During the war of 
the rebellion he was United States Internal 
Revenue Assessor for this district. He was 
a trustee and president of the village in 1857. 
In June, 1869, he was appointed postmaster 
in place of M. L. Williams, resigned, and 
held that office at the time of his death, Jan- 
uary 13, 1881. Mr. Leach was a member of 
the Presbyterian Church; also a director of 
the First National Bank. 



John Brotherson was born in Charlton, 
in June, 1806. At the time of his death, 
October 14, 1887, he was the senior member 
of the Saratoga County Bar. Mr. Brother- 
son was a man who possessed remarkable 
force of character, and great physical energy. 
He was indefatigable in the interests of his 
clients, and while in active practice was 
deemed to be a very formidable opponent. 
He was the leader in the Spiritualist society 
in Ballston Spa. 

RoiiERT P. McMaster was born in Balls- 
ton Spa April 3, 1808. In early manhood he 
spent two years in business in Mexico and 
then located in New Orleans, where for 
forty years he was a prominent banker and 
broker. He purchased the residence of Dr. 
Samuel Freeman, on High street, removed 
the house, and built a spacious mansion, in 
recent years the residence of Andrew W. 
Smith. Nearly one-half of each year Mr. 
McMaster spent in his native village. He 
died May 12, 1873, in his sixty-sixth year. 



John McLean was born in Scotland. He 
came to America in early life, and resided in 
Fultonville, N. Y. In i860, in company with 
Mr. Donaldson of that village, he purchased 
a paper mill at Factory Village, the firm be- 
ing Donaldson & McLean. Subsequently he 
became the sole proprietor. Mr. McLean was 
a man of mark, high-toned, gentlemanly, and 
in politics conspicuously Republican. He was 
zealously patriotic in supporting the Union 
cause in the civil war. He was Supervisor 
of the town of Milton, and was frequently 
urged to accept a legislative nomination, but 
he was not inclined to public life. His re- 
ligion was that of the Scotch Presbyterians, 
and he was identified with the interests of the 
Presbyterian Church in this village, though 
not a communicant. He built and presented 
to the church the chapel in Factory Village. 
He died August 4, 1881, aged sixty-one 
vears. 



Albert P. Blood was born in the town of 
Ballston April it, 1822. He was a son of 
Sylvester Blood. A life-long resident of the 
village, and one of its prosperous merchants, 
he had a wide circle of friends. A member 
of the Baptist Church from early childhood, 
he was for many years a deacon of the church. 
He was a member of Franklin Lodge, War- 
ren Chapter and Washington Commandery, 
Knights Templar. He was also, for two years, 
a village trustee and president of the village. 



•254 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



John Wait was for forty years a promi- 
nent manufacturer of the village, Wait's oil- 
cloths gaining a reputation second to none in 
the country. He was actively interested in 
the development and growth of the village, 
was a village trustee, and was Supervisor of 
Milton in 1870. He was born in Saratoga 
Springs, and died at his home on Front street 
in this village, September 12, 1875, aged 
sixty-three years. 



William T. Odell was born in the town 
of Ballston in 1814. He commenced the 
study of the law in the office of George G. 
Scott in 1837, and was admitted to the Bar 
in 1839. For many years he was a leading 
member of the Bar of this village and county, 
and served two terms as District Attorney, 
185 1 to 1857. Colonel Odell was a Demo- 
crat, and strong in his political beliefs. He 
was Supervisor of Milton in 1858 and i860. 
He obtained his title of "Colonel" from many 
years service in the State militia. He died 
March 8, 1875, aged sixty-one years. 



HiRO Jones was born in Strafford, Vt., 
March 31, 1816. In 1851 he came to Ballston 
Spa, and at once began the manufacture of 
shirts and drawers in the Glen woolen mill. 
Subsequently he bought the brick factory on 
Prospect street, now the paper bag factory, 
and continued the business until 1868, when 
he sold the mill to Jonas A. Hovey. Mr. 
Jones was among the leading men of the 
Republican party, and was Supervisor of 
Milton in the years 1866-67-68-71, and was 
also a village trustee, and president of the 
village. On the organization of the First Na- 
tional Bank in 1865, he was chosen Presi- 
dent, and from 1868 until his decease, he 
gave his whole time to his duties in connec- 
tion with the Bank. He was a consistent 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and as 
a citizen was one of the worthiest and most 
highly respected in the community. He died 
July 23, 1879, in his sixty-fourth year. 



John B. McLean was a life-long resident 
of the village and for twenty-five years prior 
to his death was deputy county clerk, under 
James W. Horton. His painstaking habits, 
and strong memory made him very efficient 
in this position. He was an enthusiastic Re- 
publican, and a leader in the party, and no 



man rendered more effective service to secure 
the large Republican majorities for which 
Saratoga county has been noted. He was a 
member of Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M., War- 
ren Chapter, and Washington Commandery 
of Knights Templar. He died at his home 
in this village on December 24, 1879, aged 
sixty years. 

John J. Luther was born in Ballston Spa 
December 31, 1819, and his whole life was 
passed in his native village. For more than 
thirty years he was a prominent and sucess- 
ful business man of the village. He was a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, receiving 
the degrees of the order in Franklin Lodge, 
Warren Chapter and Washington Command- 
dery. He died October 12, 1891, aged seven- 
ty-two years. 



Orville D. Vaughn was born in Queens- 
bury, Washington county, April 6, 1820. He 
located in Ballston Spa in 1847, and for 
twenty years was engaged in the marble head- 
stone business. He was elected county treas- 
urer in 1855, and served two terms. Later 
he was engaged in the lumber business in 
Washington, D. C, and in Minnesota. His 
place was in the front rank of our honorable 
and successful business men. His last years 
were spent in this village, where he died De- 
cember 12, 1906, aged eighty-six years. 



Russell P. Clapp was born in Ballston 
Spa July 31, 1820, and through all his life 
he retained his home in this village. His 
first business was that of a merchant. In 
1858 he became Secretary of the Troy and 
New York Steamboat Company, having his 
office in Troy. In 1870 he became the Sec- 
retary of "The People's Line," with his office 
in New York. This position he held until 
his death, December 3, 1877. Mr. Clapp was 
a prominent member of the Baptist Church, 
a deacon for twenty-six years, and for many 
years superintendent of the Sunday School. 
A friend paid him this beautiful tribute : "His 
religion made his face and his heart sunny. 
Wherever he came he brought with him joy, 
peace and love." He was eminently social 
and courteous. Ever thoughtful for others, 
he found his pleasure in contributing to their 
happiness. His death was a public bereave- 
ment. 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



255 



David Maxwell was born in Charlton 
February 28, 1820. He came to Ballston Spa 
when twenty-one years of age, studied law, 
and was admitted to the Bar. He was a 
justice of sessions three years, and clerk of 
the board of supervisors several years. He 
was also a justice of the peace for many 
years. He enjoyed the friendship and esteem 
of a large circle of acquaintances. Late in 
life he removed to Saratoga Springs, where 
he died August 25, 1891, in the seventy- 
second year of his age. 



John R. Wilson, one of the most widely 
known citizens of Ballston Spa, was born in 
the town of Ballston. In early life he was a 
farmer. January i, 1856, he was appointed 
railroad station agent in this village, and con- 
tinued in that position until his decease on 
March 6, 1882, in his sixty-first year. He 
was for many years a member of the Baptist 
Church. 



Lawrence W. Bristol was born in the 
town of Austerlitz, Columbia county, March 
18, 1824. He came to Ballston Spa in 1847, 
and this village was his home from that time 
until his death, half a century later, on March 
II, 1897. He was a leading merchant, one 
of the incorporators and for many years a 
director of the First National Bank, a village 
trustee, and for several years a member of 
the Board of Education. He was an honored 
citizen, respected by all who knew him. 



LiNDLEY Murray Crane was born in Dal- 
ton, Mass., March 17, 1822. He came to 
Ballston at the age of twenty-three, and pur- 
chased the first paper mill built on the 
Kayaderosseras, now known as the Eagle 
Mill. He built a large mansion opposite the 
mill, where he resided for many years. The 
locality has ever since been known as Crane- 
ville. Gifted with an inventive genius, he 
was the first to adapt paper to various new 
and valuable uses, such as collars and cufifs, 
belting, pails and household utensils. When 
in 1862, the government felt the necessity of 
a paper for currency uses that would resist 
the efforts of counterfeiters, Mr. Crane solved 
the problem by the invention of the fiber 
process, which proved to be a success never 
before attained. He made samples, sent them 
to the treasury department at Washington, 



and exhibited them to many interested parties, 
before taking out a caveat, and very soon to 
his surprise, large quantities of this kind of 
paper were ofliered and sold to the govern- 
ment. He reaped no benefit from his in- 
vention. The last years of his life he was a 
resident of Ballston Spa, where, by his genial 
nature, he attached to himself a large circle 
of friends. He died October 20, 1879, aged 
fifty-seven years. 



Calvin F. Wiley was born in Chatham, 
Columbia county. May 7, 1825, and came to 
Ballston Spa in i860, and was employed as 
clerk in the dry goods store of C. M. Noxon. 
In 1869 he succeeded to the business of Mr. 
Noxon, which he conducted successfully un- 
til his decease on June 29, 1886. Mr. Wiley 
was a member of the Baptist Church, and for 
several years was a deacon of the church. 
Through his uniform courtesy, integrity and 
fair dealing he enjoyed an enviable reputa- 
tion in the community. He died June 29, 
1886, aged sixty-one years. 



Henry A. Mann, son of James Mann, was 
born in the town of Ballston January 28, 
1829. For several years he was engaged in 
mercantile trade in this village. He was 
elected county treasurer, and assumed the 
duties of the office January i, 1861, and con- 
tinued to hold the office until 1876. He was 
one of the first board of directors of the 
First National Bank, and its vice-president 
for many years. He served the village as 
trustee six years, and was village president 
in 1870-1-2-3-5. He died April 24, 1892, 
aged seventy years. 



Samuel Haight was bom in Troy, N. Y., 
October 22, 1832. In 1878 he engaged in 
the tannery business in Milton Centre. In 
December, 1881, a fire destroyed the entire 
plant. He purchased the Wait oil-cloth fac- 
tory in this \'illage, and removed his business 
to Ballston Spa. He died quite suddenly at 
his home in this village October 4, 1891, aged 
fifty-nine years. The employer of a very large 
number of men, he won and retained their 
esteem by kindness and fair dealing. A 
friend paid him this beautiful tribute : "Mr. 
Haight did right because he loved right. 
If ever a man carried into practical illustra- 
tion the spirit of the golden rule, it was he." 



256 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



George W. Chapman was born in Balls- 
ton Spa in 1833, and was the younger son of 
Harvey Chapman. He was a graduate of 
Union College and of the Albany Law 
School. In 1858 he began the practice of law 
in this village. In 1864 he was elected Mem- 
ber of Assembly; in 1869 was appointed canal 
commissioner, and was elected to that office 
the following year. He was also a Super- 
visor of the town of Milton. He died in this 
village, which had always been his home, 
on April 20, 1881, aged forty-four years. 



Edwin H. Chapman, elder brother of 
George W. Chapman, was born in Ballston 
Spa in 1828, and for many years was en- 
gaged in business here as a manufacturer. 
He was village trustee three terms, and 
village president in 1856, and also Super- 
visor of Milton in 1864-5. He was a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. He was a 
popular man in the community, with a wide 
circle of friends and acquaintances. He died 
December 14, 1896, at the home of one of his 
sons in the West, aged sixty-eight years. 



Seth Whalen was bom at West Milton 
in 1835. In 1861 he became a student in the 
law office of William T. Odell in this village, 
and was admitted to the Bar in 1864. He 
was School Commissioner in the years 1871 
and 1873, and President of the village Board 
of Education for several years. On the 
death of James W. Horton in February, 1885, 
he was appointed county clerk by Governor 
Hill, and in November following was elected 
to that office. He died November 26, 1886, 
before the close of the first year of his elec- 
tive term. Mr. Whalen was a member of 
Christ Church, and one of its vestrymen. He 
was also a member of Franklin Lodge. F. & 
A. M., Warren Chapter, and Washington 
Commandery. As a citizen he was pure, 
above reproach, honored by all; without an 
enemv and with hosts of friends. 



Neil Gilmour was born in Scotland, in 
January, 1840, and came to America when 
sixteen years of age. He graduated from 
Union College, and for a few years was a 
teacher in the Academy of his brother. Rev. 
James Gilmour, on Pleasant street. He 
studied for the profession of the law. and 
was admitted to the Bar. He was elected 



School Commissioner for the first district in 
1866, and again in 1872. In 1874 he was 
elected by the Legislature Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, which position he filled 
for three terms — nine years. President Ar- 
thur then appointed him receiver of public 
moneys for South Dakota, and for two years 
Mr. Gilmour made the city of Pierre his home. 
On returning to this village, he became the 
general manager for the State of New York 
of the Aetna Life Insurance Company, with 
his office in Albany. In official life Mr. Gil- 
mour was an efficient public servant ; among 
his friends and acquaintances he was known 
as a genial, whole-souled gentleman. He died 
March 31, 1901, in his sixty-second year. 



Enos Rogers Mann was born at Willow 
Glen, in the town of Stillwater, June 8, 1840. 
He was educated in the district schools, and 
at the Ballston Spa Institute, of which Rev. 
Deodatus Babcock was principal. He taught 
for a few years in district schools, and in 
1864 was admitted to the Bar. A year later, 
in company with Sanford H. Curtis, he es- 
tablished the Ballston Democrat in this vil- 
lage, and throughout the remaining years 
of his life was engaged in newspaper v^'ork, 
filling positions on the Albany Argus, Troy 
Press, New York Tribune, Saratoga Sen- 
tinel, Saratoga Press and The Saratogian. 
Mr. Mann was the possessor of a retentive 
memory and a graceful and entertaining 
writer. Twenty years ago he compiled and 
published "The Bench and Bar of Saratoga 
County," a valuable contribution to the legal 
history of the county. He was a member of 
the Episcopal Church from his sixteenth 
year. He died at his home in this village 
March 29, 1905, aged sixty-five years. 

Matthew Vassar was born in Pough- 
keepsie, INIarch 24, 1844. He came to Balls- 
ton Spa in 1870, and was engaged in the tan- 
nery business at Milton Centre with his 
brother-in-law, Samuel Haight. The busi- 
ness was removed to this village, and after 
the death of Mr. Haight, was carried on by 
Mr. Vassar and Mr. Haight's sons, Theodore 
and H. \'^assar Haight. When the American 
Hide & Leather Company purchased the plant, 
Mr. Vassar retired from business. He was 
a vestryman of Christ Church, and for thirty- 
seven years was identified with the village 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



257 



and its welfare. He died March 13, 1907, 
aged sixty-three years. 



George C. Beecher was born in Ballston 
Spa September 29, 1844. At an early age 
he began his business career in New Orleans, 
and subsequently was engaged in the drug 
business in Troy. In 1865, at the organiza- 
tion of the First National Bank in this vil- 
lage, he accepted the position of teller. Dur- 
ing his connection with the Bank, and for 
some years thereafter, he conducted a large 
insurance business. Resigning his position 
as teller, he became the superintendent and 
book-keeper in the paper mill of his step- 
father, John McLean. He was a vestryman 
of Christ Church, and for several years vil- 
lage treasurer. He stood high in Masonic 
circles, being a member of the local lodges, 
and having attained to the 32d degree in Ma- 
sonry. Commanding the esteem and confi- 
dence of his elders, and of the whole com- 
munity, he died June 16, 1880, at the early 
age of thirty-five years. His father, Callen- 
der Beecher, died in 1849 at about the same 
age, just at the opening of what promised to 
be a successful career in the profession of 
the law. 

Frank Joxes was born in Ballston Spa 
October 19, 1851, the son of the late Hiro 
Jones. He was a graduate of Williams Col- 
lege. Soon after completing his education 
he engaged in the manufacture of paper at 
the old Cook mill in Factory Village. He 
continued this business ten years, and then 
became one of the proprietors of the Geyser 
Spring. He was secretary of the Mt. Mc- 
Gregor railroad, and also superintendent. 
In 1889 he was appointed postmaster. He 
was sheriff of the county in 1895-6-7. He 
was again appointed postmaster March 22; 
1898: was reappointed in 1902 and was hold- 
ing the office at the time of his death, Octo- 
ber 20, 1904. Mr. Jones was a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and one of its elders 
for several years. He was a Past Master of 
Franklin Lodge ; a member of Warren Chap-, 
ter, Washington Commandery, and Oriental 
Temple, Mystic Shrine. A life-long friend, 
said of him : "In his death we lose a gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and kindly neighbor, 
and the people in general an agreeable and 
efficient official and business associate." 



John Person was born in Batchellerville 
July 16, 1862. He graduated from Williams 
College in 1886, and immediately began the 
study of the law in the office of Judge L'Am- 
oreaux in this village. He was admitted to 
the Bar in May, 1888, and at once entered 
upon the successful practice of his profes- 
sion. He was elected District Attorney in 
November, 1892, and entering upon his duties 
January i, 1893, his first criminal trial was 
in a case of murder, which he managed with 
such skill that he was highly commended by 
the presiding justice, the late Hon. Leslie 
W. Russell. His successful administration 
of the office led to his renomination July 23, 
1895. He died September 15, following, at 
the early age of thirty-five, and at the be- 
ginning of what promised to be a brilliant 
career in his chosen profession. He was a 
member of the Presbyterian Church at Batch- 
ellerville. 



George E. Knox was by profession a 
dentist, and practiced for some years when 
he first came to Ballston Spa. He then en- 
gaged in mercantile trade, and later became 
a large manufacturer of ladies' hoop skirts 
and corsets. He was a member of the Bap- 
tist Church, and also of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. He died January 8, 1905. in his 
seventy-seventh year, having lived in the vil- 
lage, honored and esteemed, for half a 
centurv. 



James H. Spier w^as a leading citizen and 
business man during the first half century 
of village life. He was associated with Ar- 
nold Harris for several years in the hard- 
ware business. He was appointed postmaster 
in 1851, on the death of James Comstock. 
He died in 1867, aged seventy years. 

John McKown was a prominent business 
man of the village. He came to Ballston 
Spa in 1838 and began the cabinet-making 
business, and also undertaking, on Milton 
avenue, and continued in business at the same 
stand for forty years. He was highly re- 
spected in the commvmity. He was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and also 
a member of Franklin Lodge, Warren Chap- 
ter, and Washington Commandery. He died 
in 1880, aged seventy years. 



258 



CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BALLSTON SPA 



Stephen B. Medbery was born in the town 
of Greenfield, Saratoga county, August 4, 
1815, and died at his home in Ballston Spa 
October 19, 1907, aged ninety-two years. In 
early life he made his home in this village, 
and at the time of his decease was its oldest 
resident. He became the proprietor of the 
Village Hotel (now Medbery Hotel) in 1849, 
and continued as its landlord for more than 
thirty years. He served the village as trus- 
tee in 1850. In his youth he became a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, and was war- 
den and vestryman of Christ Church for 
more than sixty years, and was a senior war- 
den at the time of his death, having faith- 
fully served the church in this capacity for 



over half a century. Air. Medbery had a 
very wide circle of friends and acquaintances 
by whom he was highly esteemed. 



J.-\MES F. Peckham was bom in Ballston 
Spa, April 28, 1828. He was a son of Stephen 
Peckham, and a grand-son of Jonathan Peck- 
ham, who was the first settler within the 
present limits of this village. For more 
than half a century James F. Peckham was 
one of the prominent business men of the vil- 
lage, and served as village trustee for several 
years. Throughout his long life of eighty 
years, he lived within sight of his birth- 
place, and was highly esteemed throughout 
the community. He died November 15, 1907. 




m'-\7 



V- /^'-y^:- .^"S. "-^P^*^ ^^'' ^"^ ''>^' .0"°% ''%^'' / 

:;. %/ =V«^V. Vo^' ^*>^^'''. "»b/ ^'^^^^S-o^' ^*>^'^- 



o V 



<,. ' . . • ' ,0' 

" " ° ♦ ■** 0^ • •• " 



V ,0... 



.<!.^ 



0-^ 









:.<^P:.. 



• ^^^\ ''^S /\ ^^^^ ^% • 

■ ■{►^ c " " ° « '^>. o"^ . ^ ' • . ^o . "^ <■ " ° . "^ 



x9 Xi. ' '^'' 



A-^ r:^, 






























<v '^'^ ■>■■' ^0 



"bv 



<V^ 



"o -o . . ♦ A ^ 






' J"' 







0* 'o -o . . • A <. . 



** 













'-^^n^ 



















"^9^ 
^V^^ 






^ •,'^, 



•1 o^ 



• , . o ' 



to 















0- 



.'•o- -> 









^>:'. '^^, 



^o. 



-o . . » 



A 






A" 



.^^ 









.-*. 



-• t " • ° « ■*>, 0^ •■■'•. o 












o V 













V /^. ^^^^^ .^"% ':«^" /^"^^ .^"S. ^:#^^ /^ 
I .^^l.^^.'^^ ^>'^%^^ ^^.^^^^'\ //'^'^'-^^ .^''•^^ 






fe. -^"i/ .V^'^- %„.' ■•'^^■■•. ■'-o.-^ ''^^V \.o*' .•^•. %,v*^ 

"^■- ,*°% -.w-/ /°'. >«s.y' ,*°H ■■-'^.^^■/%'--^--' ,*°-* 

i ^^--' k^\y .^m^-.\/ ::^fk'/\^ /^-sy 



